Opal Arcadepane

Opal May Piocos Arcadipane went to be with the Lord August 22, 2014, at Peace Hospice.Her funeral service will be at Emmanuel Bible Church on Friday, August 29, at 11:30 a.m., with interment following in Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangementsShe was born in Wheatland, Wyoming, April 19, 1920, to Flossie (Carson) Howell and Riley Howell. She was a great help to her mom in her pre-teen years and being the oldest, she helped to raise her younger siblings. Opal was also a big help to her dad. She was fond of telling stories about helping her dad set charges in a coal mine, learning to drive a truck before she was 10; and helping to clear a field of rocks while riding on the back of a horse that was ten times bigger than she. She didn't know the meaning of it can't be done , because with a Howell there is always a way. While still in school; she and a friend worked as chambermaids in a Havre Hotel, where they had to clean, dust and change linens in 25 rooms. She kept none of her wages for herself, instead gave them to her mom who then gave her an allowance. During her school years, she also worked for a dentist, who had a disabled wife. She was there in the morning before school to fix the lady breakfast, then off to school, returning at noon, back to fix lunch. Sometimes had to prepare dinner if the dentist had an emergency. She developed a strong work ethic from these early experiences.She met and married Antonio (Tony) Piocos in 1936 and they had four children;Loretta, Frank, Thomas and Anthony. They lived for a short time in Havre; then movedto Great Falls, where Tony worked for the railroad. Later they moved to Portage and another move to Great Falls where she lived until her death. She and Tony were instrumental in uniting the Filipino community. She was the go to person to help with taxes and immigration issues. She worked at the Gerald Cafe, the High Hat, Borries, Maverick Bar, Grenlins Cafe; the Club Cafeteria, and the lunch counter at Rexall Drug.She worked in the ladies' wear department at Montgomery Ward. She also worked at Sears starting as a seamstress altering suits and dresses and working her way up to managing the drapery department. She retired from Sears after 21 years, and rather than sitting still, became a caterer retiring a second time in 1999. Tony passed away in 1974 and in 1976, she married Salvatore Arcadipane. He passed away in 1982.She was very active in her church and was a bible school teacher and childrens choir director. She was involved in her children's after school activities including the drum and bugle corps. She was a get 'er done person and worked on her home and in her yard well into her 90sShe is survived by her children, Loretta Humble of Great Falls, Frank (Gayle) Piocos of Helena, Thomas (Rita) Piocos of Helena; grandchildren Rodney (Tammy) King, Vickie (Brian) Day, Mike Alvis, Scott (Tammy) Humble, Damon Piocos, Shawn (Donna) Piocos, Frankie Piocos, Marq Piocos, Pamela (Al) Valenzuela, Stephanie Lehman, Cindy (Dajari) Makena, Michael (Chrissy) Piocos, Matthew (Veronica) Piocos, Dale Piocos, Gregory (Rocio) Piocos, Tony Jay Piocos, and Jason (Samantha) Cousins, 48 great grandchildren, 20 great-great grandchildren; her sister, Betty Gaertner; brother Lawrence Howell; sister-in-law Mary Howell, all of Great Falls, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.Her parents, Riley and Flossie Howell; brothers Roger, Bill, Willard, Rex; sisters Mildred McGlynn, Neva Goodau, Eva Stoner, Gladys Christopherson, and Charlott Brewer, her first husband Antonio Piocos, Salvatore Arcadipane, her second husband, her son Tony Piocos, and grandson Sinfroso Piocos, preceded her in death.