Modesta De Arellano

Modesta Barrios De Arellano, 98, of Billings, MT, went peacefully with the Lord on Monday, May 14, 2018. Born on November 16, 1919 in Manila, Philippines, she was the eldest of 10 siblings and daughter of Eduardo Medina Barrios and Augusta Steffan. Modesta married on September 27, 1938 to the love of her life, Luis Ramirez De Arellano. She was a homemaker raising three beautiful children. They lived in Manila until 1985, then moved to San Jose, CA when shortly thereafter her husband passed away. Modesta moved to Thompson Falls, MT to live with her daughter and son-in-law. In the Fall of 1999, they moved to Billings. Modesta loved to knit and crochet, especially crocheting doilies. She enjoyed being part of the knitting club at her church, St. Bernard's, making socks and hats for the newborn babies at the hospitals. Modesta loved her dog, Bullet, (who was by her side every day until her last day). She made the most tasteful curry, adobo, tinola, lentils and everyone loved her cooking. Her daily devotion was praying the rosary; she was a devout Catholic and a devotee of Saint Padre Pio. One of her best memories when traveling was to Rome visiting the Vatican in 1969. She donated generously to her many charities including The Franciscans, St. Jude and ETWN. Modesta was beautiful (inside and out) and the most loving wife, mother, grandmother-nana, great- grandmother (Gigi), sister and auntie. Being a breast cancer survivor for 33 years, she lived a long, healthy and happy life. Modesta loved her family dearly; she will be greatly missed as she was the matriarch of our families. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Luis R. De Arellano. She is survived by their three children, Luis R. De Arellano Jr. (Lourdes), Manila, Philippines, Cristina Brauer (Harvey) of Billings and Eduardo R. De Arellano (Carmen) of Manila, Philippines; five grandchildren, Maria Victoria Brauer-Konitz (Matthew) of Billings, Richard Brauer of Billings, Eduardo R. De Arellano Jr. (Nicole) of Manila-PHL, Maria Antonia Tiosejo (Franz) of Manila-PHL, Maria Asuncion Soler (Che) of Manila-PHL; nine great-grandchildren, Maria Emmilia & Maria Alicia Konitz, Alfonso, Alvaro & Alesandro R. De Arellano, Bea & Javi Tiosejo and Ines & Diego Soler. Modesta is also survived by her sisters, Gloria Larrarte (Lara), Sylvia Llora, Solidad Lear (David) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 1 pm at St. Bernard's Catholic Church located at 226 Wicks Lane, Billings, MT. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bernard's, Billings Catholic Schools, St. Jude or the National Cancer Society. Special Thanks and appreciation to the caring staff at Compassus Hospice who showed much love and compassion during Modesta's in-home care.