Betty Mireles' Obituary
At 11:56 am on June 10, 1926, Antonio and Leeta Armani welcomed their first and only child, Betty Jean Armani, our Mother. Mom had wonderful and very loving pare
June 28, 1947, our Mom married Milton Charles Estes. Together they had two daughters, Julia (Julie) and Bunny (CJ). Unfortunately, in 1950, our father passed away in an accidental drowning. The two of them had gone to school together in Idaho. Our Dad was Native American of the Nez Perce Indian Tribe in Idaho. Our Native American Heritage is the wonderful legacy he left for both Julie and Bunny.
January 6, 1953, our Mom married Gregorio (Greg) Mireles. Together they had two children, Yrene (Irene) and Gregory Anton (Tony). As an active Army military family, the six of us traveled all over the United States in our car and to Germany two times and to Italy many times. Greg had also spent several tours in Vietnam during the '60's while the rest of our family stayed here in Washington. Greg's Hispanic Heritage stems from his roots in Los Ebanos, Texas. Very southern Texas, by the Rio Grande River. Greg has a large family and they so enjoyed Mom when they would go visit. Loving and sharing people.
The youngest and the only son, Tony Mireles and his wife Sandy, live in Forest City, Iowa. Together they have two adult children, daughter, Jessie Marie, and son, Cody. Sandy, very recently lost her Mother too. Due to Tony's health, he and his wife have not had the opportunity to travel to Tacoma for a couple of years, but were always here in spirit!
The youngest daughter, Irene Hayes and her husband Dean, live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas area. Together they have a daughter, Kelsey Patterson. Kelsey and her husband, Gary, live very near the Texas Christian University, where Gary is Head Coach. Kelsey surprised all of us, and her parents too, by flying up here to WA around Mother's Day while her parents were here visiting, to spend time with her Grandma and her own Mother. It was a nice surprise for all of us and a very pleasant visit too, considering Mom was in the ICU at Allenmore Hospital. Allenmore Hospital is the best hospital to be in when sick! They are wonderful in the ER and in ICU both.
Middle Daughter, Bunny (CJ) Carter, lives in Tacoma and has one adult son, Jayson, who also lives in the Tacoma area. CJ has two grandchildren, Jayson's daughter Dagne and her brother Dane, that live in Powell, Wyoming. Dagne will be 14 on September 7th and Dane turned 7 this past February 7th.
First child and oldest Daughter, Julie Palafox and her husband Alfonso (Al) live in the Graham area. Together, they have two adult sons, Alfredo A. Palafox (Fred) and Gregory Dean (Greg). Both living and working in the Tacoma area. Al and Julie have two adopted grandchildren, Caleb, who is 16 years old and his brother Roman, who is now 11 years old. Both of the boys live in the Puyallup area. Mom enjoyed going to their beautiful log cabin that Al and Julie built. Julie is the first child of the four of us children, then Bunny, Irene, then Tony.
Mom has been a wonderful friend to everyone through her 86 years on this earth. In fact she did not know a stranger, she smiled and talked to everyone. With this 'gift' she was the perfect receptionist for Associated Ministries, downtown Tacoma, for 10 years. Mom was a wonderful bowler and had been on many bowling teams. Mom was a member of the NCO Wives Club for much of their Army military life. Many times the NCO Wives Club traveled to Castle's and other fun places when we lived in Germany. As a family, we had taken trips to Italy during the summers to locate and get to know her Fathers family. Wonderful and loving people that Irene continues to stay in touch with. Mom had been a Gray Lady volunteer in hospitals too. A Gray Lady, at that time, was similar to a Candy Stripper, only the adult version. When we lived on Ft. Lewis, Mom also worked in the Warehouse on post and there met her dear friend Della and Evelyn, her lifelong friends. In her younger years, Mom was an awesome dancer, fast on her feet! She was an avid reader...... mostly the The Globe and National Enquirer. She read them thoroughly and looked at all the pictures very carefully. Pretty much believed everything that was written in there too. We all had some big laughs over her reading materials, but we couldn't wait to read them when she was finished with them! Especially Al! Considering her health, Mom had a good outlook on life and that may have stemmed from her parents. She could not have asked for more giving and trusting parents! They both provided her with constant security and stability and love. In time, Mom will be taken to Idaho and 'sprinkled" over her parents, that was her request and we will honor that request.
Mom has been single for many years, but was always on the go and with lots of good friends in her life. Her special friend, Honey and her husband have a teriyaki store next door to Jim's Deli, and they pampered and catered to Mom with their wonderful food and many hugs every time we all went there to eat. Joyful and kind people to Mom. She enjoyed going out for coffee or lunch & coffee with Julie, Al, Bunny, Joy, Vicki, Lori, Fred, Greg, Sunny, Joyce, Jan, Jean, etc. Mom just loved to get out and socialize. She always wore bright colored clothing and took such good care to look good when she left her apartment. She was independent and a stellar member of her community and neighborhood. Mom was so well liked and a self-imposed 'greeter' at
Jim's Deli, by her apartment, and she got to know everyone that came in the store, even some gang members! When she needed some heavy lifting around her apartment, they came over and did that for her! The last 14-months of her life Mom lived at the Tacoma Lutheran Home where she had been the Residents Council President and one of the "Welcome" residents to meet and 'buddy' with a new residents. Playing cards and Chicken Foot and lots of BINGO with Paul, Joy and Wayne and many other residents, helped pass time when she decided to stay in the building.
We cried when you passed away Mom. We still cry today. Although we loved you dearly, we couldn't make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating and your working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us that he only takes the best! You are missed every single day by~ Julie, Bunny, Irene, Tony~, your loving children and our families and your friends.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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