Arvada Winward, 91, passed away March 21 at home after a long battle with COPD. Her children visited with her before saying goodbye for her eternal rest, to be with her beloved husband Gail. The Rosary is being held April 5 at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes 1-5 p.m. There will be a funeral Mass at Holy Family Church April 6 at 1 p.m.

Arvada was born in Portland on May 10, 1929, the daughter of Elsie Mae and George William Voboril. She attended Commerce High school in Portland and played clarinet in the high school band. There she met Doc Stevens and Jane Powell, other students in a band competition. The two become a famous musician and an actress.

Arvada met her husband Gail on a blind date, and they married shortly thereafter. They were married for 56 years before Gail’s passing in 2001.

Arvada was a housewife and worked as a Pharmacist Tech for many years. In the mid ’70s Gail had the opportunity to work in Oahu, Hawaii. Arvada often said the year she spent in “The Islands” was one of the best years of her life. When they returned to Portland, Arvada became an active member of St. Therese Parish in Northeast Portland.

When she was in her late 60s and early 70s, she enjoyed her work as a eucharistic minister working with Father Nicholas Nilema (who she considered her adoptive son). They would take Communion to parishioner in nursing homes who were unable to attend Mass.

After Gail passed, Arvada moved to Milwaukie and became a member of Holy Family Parish. She and her daughter, deAnn, were members of the church’s Rosary Makers, stringing the beads to give to parishes in East Africa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gail, and her daughter Susan. She is survived by her other children: deAnn, Doug, Mike, Mary, Debi and Cathy; 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and another on the way. She will be missed greatly.

She will be buried at Willamette National Cemetery, next to her husband Gail, April 7.