Mary Carmelita Arburua

Mary Carmelita Arburua died peacefully at home December 6, 2025.
Our beloved Carm was born in San Francisco on August 12, 1925. She was raised in San Francisco, the second child of Eleanor Kehoe and Joseph M. Arburua. She attended St. Cecilia's grammar school, and St. Rose Academy. Her higher education was at Dominican College and San Francisco State University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree.
Carm had many interesting adventures in her working career. She was a store detective for Macy's and a Fundraiser for different organizations. Carm finished out her working career at the University of San Francisco and retired after 25 years. She mentored many of her staff and students that worked in her office at USF. Many of them became lifelong friends to this day!
Carm believed strongly that you should have friends of all ages to keep life interesting!
In honor of Carm's many years at USF as a staff member and former acting Director of Admissions, a scholarship was established in 2019 that funds financial aid in perpetuity for returning degree and transfer students. This began "The Carmelita Arburua Endowed Scholarship" at USF.
After retirement Carm kept busy with her love of cooking and making miniature themed houses. She would then donate the miniatures to St. Ann's Christmas boutique. Carm also loved being a docent for the de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences. As a docent she also met new friends and after retiring from being a docent would still meet these friends for lunch or dinner!
Her family and friends meant everything to her! She had many New Year's Day parties that many of us would look forward to attending. She also wanted to be with family, which started many summer trips to Carmel, Tahoe and many other places for over 30 years!
The ranch in Los Banos was also very important to Carm in relation to her Basque Heritage. She had many trips to the ranch with family and friends.
Carm's final home in the City was Heritage on the Marina. She spent 13 wonderful years at the Heritage making new friends and serving on different committees over the years.
Carm had an amazing zest for life and always dealt with life challenges she faced with such strength and positivity. Family and her strong faith in God were most important to her. Carm was always there for any of us when we were in need of support.
Carm was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Joseph Arburua, a brother John M. Arburua, a sister and her husband Claudine and Preston Bither, nephews Robert "Bob" Arburua, Daniel Bither, and Dick Overstreet.
Carm is survived by her sister-in-law Jean Arburua, nephews: Rick (Margrit) Bither, Larry (Candy) Bither, Jack (Paula) Bither, Jim (Christine) Arburua, Don (Chrissy) Arburua, Jeff (Janet) Jackson, nieces: Mary (Harold) Heimark, Claudia (Jim) Foltz, Karen Overstreet, Louise Jackson, Marie Jackson. Also, 15 great nieces and nephews, and 12 great - great nieces and nephews.
Extended family: Sherinian Family, Marianne and Tom Aude, and Nancy and Shawn Kelly.
Most of the family and extended family were there to celebrate Carm on her 100th Birthday! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. We love you Carm!


A Rosary, Mass and Internment will be held at St. Dominic's Church, 2390 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94115 on April 10, 2026 at 11:00 am.
Reception to follow at Heritage on the Marina, 3400 Laguna St., San Francisco.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Dominic's Church or The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, 1540 Grand Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901
Donations can also be made to The Carmelita Arburua Endowed Scholarship at USF.