Arlena Ruth "Pat" Loredo was born on September 21, 1937, to Rufus and Sylvia Harviston— making her entrance before the midwife arrived—at 10 pounds she was already bold, and determined, just as she stayed her whole life. One of eight children, Arlena grew up surrounded by both the simple joys and the undeniable hardships of her time. Through it all, her love for her family never wavered. She carried those early experiences with her always, shaping the strong, resilient, and fiercely loving woman we knew. She was a beauty—and she knew it. In her younger years, she left a trail of broken hearts before finally meeting the love of her life, Bernabe Loredo. They married in 1970 and spent 52 years together building a life full of love, laughter, stubborn disagreements, and a whole lot of personality. They raised their family, drove each other a little crazy, and loved each other deeply through it all. Arlena became a mother at a young age, welcoming her beloved son Rick in 1952. In the years that followed, she carried two babies, David and Karla, who were born sleeping and forever held close in her heart. In 1965, she welcomed her daughter Starla. While she loved her children dearly, becoming a grandmother was where she truly came alive. She was not a gentle, storybook grandma—she was the hilarious, unpredictable kind. Her humor was sharp, her language colorful, and her timing flawless. She wrote poems and little songs her grandkids will never forget, some sweet and some best kept far away from church gatherings. Wherever she was, there was music, laughter, and at least one brutally honest piece of advice. Arlena endured profound loss, including the passing of her parents and her son Rick, yet her hardships never hardened her. Instead, they deepened her compassion. She told the truth, admitted when she was wrong, and shared her lessons so others might hurt a little less. She showed up for her people—sometimes with a hug, sometimes with advice, sometimes with a cold Diet Coke and frozen Snickers—but always with love. She had a way of uncomplicating the world when it felt like too much. She shared an unbreakable bond with her daughter, rarely more than a couple of blocks apart, doing life side by side—laughing, arguing, and loving each other as only they could. Together, they were oil and vinegar, sugar and spice—two halves of a whole. Arlena loved her siblings, her nieces and nephews, and her entire family with a loyalty that never faltered. She often reminded us how quickly time passes and how nothing—not even tomorrow—is ever guaranteed. Those words now carry a weight we understand more deeply than ever. Arlena leaves behind a family who will forever miss her humor, strength, and irresistible spirit. She is survived by her daughter, Starla; her grandchildren Jeff and Rick Jr. Janes, Arlena (Ryan) Blick, Sylvia (Tad) Ward, Ericka (Donnie) Ames, and Calley (Nick) Holt; her great-grandchildren Zane, Isla, Rori, and Ezra; her sister Carolyn Wynn, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. But if there's one thing we know for sure, it's this: Arlena did things her way—right from the very beginning. And we are all better, stronger, and a little tougher (and maybe a little sassier) because of her.