Patricia Arnone, 85

Patricia Ellene Arnone, born July 6, 1940, died May 11, 2026. This “Feisty One” was born to Delmas and Ruby Sontchi in Upland, California. She completed the family as the second child, the firstborn being her older brother, Donny.

As a teenager, Pat lived with her Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim’s family in West Los Angeles, California, with Cousin Jennifer. She then completed her education and received her high school diploma at Alexander Hamilton Senior High School. After graduation, Pat moved to Riverside, California, to work as a secretary. There she met and married Thomas Arnone, who was in the Air Force. 

As an "Air Force" wife with extended periods of her husband’s absence. Pat’s independent, feisty personality was just what she needed to raise five children. Her husband Tom said, “Patty just intuitively knew how to care for babies and young children.”

Pat, with her children in tow, moved to four Air Force bases around the country before settling down in Kalispell. Before her husband Tom retired from the Air Force, to join her in Montana, she had purchased several goats, to the delight of the kids! During the fall harvests, everything on the dinner table came from the farm. 

Pat joined the Sweet Adelines and was the bass (deep voice) in several quartets. She loved competing. She also competed in triathlons and bike races. She was a member of Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen, singing in the choir for a number of years.

Pat is survived by her five children Mary Peterson of Hawaii, Joe Arnone of Alaska, Chris Arnone of Montana, Patrick Arnone of Colorado, Thomas Arnone of Canada, and their loving partners, Pete, Mandy, Kelly and Michael. She was a proud grandmother to Vince Arnone, Joshua Peterson, Daniel Peterson and Tess Arnone.