Celia Arrieta Holady

Celia Arrieta Holady, 82, formerly of La Grande, died June 9. Autumn Funerals and Cremations in Tigard is in charge of arrangements.

Celia was born Oct. 15, 1926, the first child of Steven and Rose Arrieta in Boise. Celia was a first-

generation American daughter of Basque immigrants from Spain. Growing up, Celia did not speak English. When she was 8, she moved with her family to May Park and later to Island City and attended Greenwood Elementary School. She went on to La Grande High School and graduated in 1945.

During high school, Celia worked in an ice cream shop in the afternoons and at the theater during the evening. She saved her money to take flying lessons. Celia was ready to fly solo when she decided that college tuition was a better use of her money, so she enrolled at Eastern Oregon College of Education with the idea of becoming a teacher.

At Eastern Oregon she met Floyd Holady, a returning World War II Navy veteran. They were married in August 1947 and moved to Ukiah. In 1952 both finished their degrees in La Grande and began teaching in the Portland area.

One year later, the family moved to Pendleton, where Celia taught in the elementary schools.

Then the family moved to Portland and Floyd went to dental school while Celia cared for their children.

In 1962 the family moved back to Pendleton where Floyd started his dental practice. Celia returned to teaching in the local elementary schools and also taught English for the community college GED program. She managed her husband's dental practice. Celia also sold real estate and was an electrologist.

Celia enjoyed traveling and shopping. Trips to Taos, N.M., and throughout the southwestern U.S., with stops along the way at Basque restaurants, became a habit for her and Floyd. Previously Celia had been to Europe, including Spain to visit family. Now she and Floyd traveled to Asia and Africa. Celia also made local trips, especially to thrift stores.

Celia is survived by her husband, Floyd; children, Kim, Kaye, Jill, Guy and Mark; five grandchildren; one cousin; one niece and one nephew.

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