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.