Elizabeth was born on November 8, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Wolbur Olsen and Wilhelmine M. Olsen. Oldest sister of 8 children, she cared for the little ones along with her Mom, they called her “Sis.”
Mom married the love of her life, Thomas Joseph Arbri on November 9, 1946. She met Dad at Rice and Baysdoffer, where she worked making bows; Dad was a Forman, for this distributor of Christmas and artificial flora plants. Dad was so smitten with her, he married her within 6 months, and they were married over 50 beautiful loving years.
The family and her role as Mom and Grandma and Great Grandma was the most important to Mom. She was a very protective and caring Mom, who was beautiful inside and out. She used to walk us to Sharswood School, even though it was only right around the corner from our home.
Church and faith was important to Mom. Dad and Mom would always say “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” and “For it is in giving that we receive.” That’s how we grew up learning those words and many Bible verses. Mom would always welcome all our friends into our house from the neighborhood and church Gloria Di Old Swedes Church; we participated in Friday night choir practice and Sunday night Fellowship at Church. We went to movie outings to see the King of Kings and Ben Hur with our church group.
Mom loved to cook and made sure we had a hot meal on the table every day of the week. Sunday Dinner was always at 3:00 Holiday meals of course was always a feast, with all the trimmings. When I smell roasted chicken with carrots and potatoes or roasted pork in the oven, the memories ignite and come rushing back and I am overwhelmed of the Blessed childhood we had. The memories of those days will never be forgotten.
She cooked well into her late eighties. She gave her time to the Church of the Holy Spirit and made her famous Stuffed Cabbage, which they would sell at the Christmas Bazar every year, had to get them early or they sold out and you were out of luck till the next year. Mom would sew Christmas tree ornaments all year around and sell them also at the Christmas Bazar to raise money for the Church.
Giving is what she was all about, Mom made sure all her Grandbabies had candy and gifts for every holiday, we’re talking about Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas and birthdays, money and candy were stuffed in every package. Although I have to say that Christmas was her all-time favorite holiday. Easter was a feast also, however more solemn, every Good Friday, from 12 noon till 3 noon we were instructed to sit on the front enclosed porch and not say a word from 12 noon to 3:00 o’clock. Our family has learned so much about love and perseverance from this wonderful person, she and Dad gave up so much to give us everything they could.
What a wonderful legacy about family and love. She was always focused on what is truly important “family.” Also to be strong not only when your life is easy, but when it was difficult too. So we remember the fond memories and the happy times of this beautiful strong woman our Loving Mom, who shall forever be engrained in the hearts and souls of her family and friends. We Love You Mom.
Service
Visitation
Loomis Funeral Home
420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Service
Church of the Holy Spirit
601 South Highland Avenue, Apopka, Florida 32703
11:00am
Alice T Haines says
First I want to say I’m sorry for your Loss!
Hearing about this just made me remember her from my visits to her house in Florida.
She welcomed me like one of her own. The first thing I rememberd was at one of the parks and she talked me into getting on the Pirates of the Carribean ….. ” Oh Alice just get on it’s nothing” I ride it …. so I get on with her next to me and as it’s ready to start she says: Now just sit sideways and you won’t feel a thing ….. and then I was ready to cry…..but of course she was right, but I still never got back on….. Then after a day at the park we get home (dead tired) and we sitting down and she gets up and makes everyone a snack (sandwiches and something to drink) ….. it was her ritual every night.
The next day we go around Sandy’s house and swim in the pool and she would laugh so hard that I was clinging to the side of the pool (cause I don’t swim) she couldn’t believe it …..
These are just a few things about “Mom-O” ( per name from Eileen) that I will NEVER forget.
Losing a parent is so devastating …. my heart is broken for Sandy, Cheryle, Buddy & Jimmy and their children ….. it’s hard to believe and even harder to realize that Mom is gone but NEVER forgotten. Now she is with the love of her life and he is surely waiting for her…..
Oh, before I finish with thoughts with this GOOD person, Mom and always my own special person she would always have MENTOS Mints and today I had to buy a ROLL of those mints.
So in closing when I get back to Florida I will go on the “Pirates of the Carribean” in memory of my FLORIDA Angel ….
❤️???? Love you all and always thinking of you guys
Alice
Cheryle Marino says
Thank you Alice, for your very special and heartwarming story of Mom, you capture the memory of her so perfectly, she always welcome everyone to our home. Mom was a very generous person. In reading your story about Mom, I laugh and I cried.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful story, so everyone could see what a funny, caring, sassy and compassioned person she was. We miss her dearly and so will all the friends and family that knew her.
Now she’s in the arms of my Dad and in that I find much comfort knowing she is with him, the love of her life, like you said. The beautiful memories we all have will remain always in our hearts forever.
Alice enjoy those Mentos and the ride at Disney when you get back to Florida, the Magic Kingdom was Mom’s favorite park. Thank you for your sincere and compassionate sympathy for our entire family at this very devastating and emotional time, your thoughtfulness and your kind and caring words, they are very much appreciated, Alice.
Love,
Cheryle and the entire family of
Elizabeth Arbri
Pat Quaile Lokitis says
Sandy, Cheryl, Buddy, Jimmy and families, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I have not seen any of you since school days, I fondly remember going to your house with my Mom at lunchtime to meet up with your Mom to walk to Sharswood. Hopefully she is meeting up with my Mom in heaven and catching up. I pray that your beautiful memories will bring you peace and comfort at this time.
Cheryle Marino says
Pat,
Dear Pat
Pat, I do remember the times walking to Sharswood School, beautiful childhood memories, somehow we think that they’re going to last forever, unfortunately they don’t. I think they walked us till 6 grade, they were definitely helicopter parents and I have to say I take right after my Mom.
Thank you so very much for your sincere condolences for our family, your thoughtfulness was very much appreciated and you comforting expression of sympathy will always be remembered.
Warmest Regards,
Cheryle
and the entire Family of Elizabeth Arbri
Adam Arbri says
Grandma I am at a loss for words, I know you have gone to Heaven and are having a good time with Bear and David. I will miss you greatly, having laughs over cranberry sauce and riding Big Thunder. You were always there for me, even as a kid, ready to keep me on the up and up. Thank you for everything you have done and I know you are watching over all of us. I love you and hope one day to See you later. Because we never say Goodbye.
Mom, Larry & Terri says
Sandy, Cheryl, Buddy, Jimmy and their families. There’s no easy way to say it but we’re so sorry for your loss. Although we’ve lost contact over the years you’re all still very much our loving family. Times like this make us think back to the good old years. Family gatherings at your Mom & Dad’s in Philly and the picnics at Aunt Delores and Uncle Franks. Please forgive us for not being there. Terri & I are doing our best to care for Mom and Mom is just not up for the trip. Mom, Terri & I wish you all the best at this difficult time.
Cheryle Marino says
Dear Larry, Terry and Aunt Helen
Thank you for your sincere condolences, we deeply appreciated your expression of sympathy for the loss of Mom, we certainly understand your situation and know that Aunt Helen needed the attention that you are giving her. She is certainly is blessed a son and daughter-in-law who are wonderful caretakers. We did miss you all however we all certainly did understand. Again thank you.
Love
Cheryle
and the entire Family of
Elizabeth Arbri