Dinorah Arnaiz

Dinorah Arnaiz, 80, longtime Cle Elum resident, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at the Kittitas Valley Hospital in Ellensburg following a brief illness.

Dinorah was born on June 13, 1943 in Palmira, Province of Alajuela, Costa Rica to Betty Vargas and Jose Maria Alfaro.  At the age of 31, she immigrated to Washington State in the winter of 1974 to meet her pen pal, David Arnaiz, who later became the love of her life. After a short courtship, Dinorah and David were united in marriage on December 31, 1974.  Shortly thereafter, they started a family and had one daughter.

Dinorah was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  She was a committed wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  She was a talented seamstress, and many times was called upon by friends and family for help with their alterations.  She will always be remembered for her love of gardening and the beautiful flowers outside her home.

She is survived by her husband David of Cle Elum; daughter Jeannie Arnaiz Harrington (Scott) and their two daughters of Mercer Island, Washington; siblings Ines Tubbs (Ronald), Felix Alfaro, Gilda Alfaro, Olga Alfaro de Garay (Ernesto), Alvaro Alfaro, Lilliam Alfaro de Jimenez (Ramiro), Isabel Washchuck (Duane), Dunia Alfaro de Murguia (Adrian), Lorena Vargas de Miranda (Fernando); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Rafael Angel Alfaro.

Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023 also at St. John’s with urn committal to follow at Laurel Hill Memorial Park. A luncheon reception and celebration of life will follow at the Cle Elum Senior Center.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com