Obituary: Payne, Cecilia Aripa
Age 102
Cecilia was born on December 2, 1912 to Andrew (also called Shi’tsin) and Felicity Aripa at their home on lukwele’ which means “bloody mountain” in the Coeur d’Alene language, but nowadays is called Little Butte.
Her father was from the St. Joe Clan, and her mother was from the Daniels Clan from the Liberty Lake area.
As a young girl Cecilia attended the Sister’s Convent of Mary Immaculate boarding school.
When she went home Cecilia learned how to garden, and take care of the farm animals, and how to tan hides, and bead from her mother.
Later on she was married to Bernard Payne and together they had two children: John Payne who preceded her in death, and Delbert Payne who resides in Worley, Idaho.
Cecilia was a lifelong homemaker and every year Bernard (also called more commonly as Penny) and Cecilia would make their annual summer trip to Apache Junction, Arizona.
Among the many trips they took together the Apache Junction was her favorite and she always looked forward to it.
Cecilia will be remembered as kind and loving, quiet and honest, and hard working.
She always had a beautiful smile on her face.
Cecilia was 102 years old at the time of her death, and the eldest surviving Coeur d’Alene Tribal member.
She is also one of the last surviving members to speak her native tongue, the Coeur d’ Alene Indian language.
Cecilia was also a devoted member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Mission in DeSmet, Idaho.
Rosary will be held Tuesday evening at 7:00pm at the Rose Creek Longhouse in Worley, ID.
Father Robert Erickson, S.J will be officiating at the services and burial will follow at the DeSmet Cemetery at DeSmet, Idaho.
HODGE FUNERAL HOME in ST. MARIES ID is handling the arrangements.