Laura Elena Arellano

Laura Elena Arellano (née Laura Elena Perez Riquelme) beloved “Mami, Nonita, Laurita, Tichini,”of Burke, VA, peacefully passed at her home on February 25, 2024.

Laura was born in Talcahuano, Chile on July 15, 1927, the daughter of Hernan Perez Roldan and Laura Elena Riquelme Rubilar. She grew up in her native town and in Valparaiso, where she met Orlando (Nano) Arellano, the love of her life, marrying him in 1947.

After several years working next to her husband’s businesses and creating a family with their son Gaston and daughter Ana Maria, Laura and Orlando and children moved to the United Sates in 1978, establishing a home in Northern Virginia.

Laura held several jobs, one worth mentioning, in General Services at Marymount Catholic University in Arlington, Va.

Laura was a person with many outstanding qualities: happy, optimistic, resilient, loving, of great faith, and a survivor overcoming many obstacles and illness. She enjoyed reading, classical music, ballet, poetry, politics, as well as traveling to Chile.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband, her sister Olga and brothers Hernan, Julio, and Luis. She is survived by her children Gaston and Ana Maria and husband Marc, and her grandchildren.

Laura’s wisdom, warmth and love will be greatly missed, but her memory will remain forever with those fortunate enough to have known her.

As per her wishes, she will rest in everlasting peace at the Santa Ines Cemetery in Vina del Mar, Chile, next to her dear husband’s remains; and a mass memorial is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation.