Belinda (Tommie) Thompson Arnold Lee, 97

Belinda (Tommie) Thompson Arnold Lee, 97, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, in Sun City, Ariz.

Mrs. Lee was born on Sept. 11, 1908, in Bottineau, N,D. She was the second of four children born to Ole and Anna Thompson. Mrs. Lee received her registered nursing degree from St. Paul's School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minn., in 1930.

Tommie moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1934, and was married to M.R. (Mannie) Arnold in 1937. She owned and operated the Home Hospital in Coeur d'Alene from 1938 to 1943 and from 1947 to 1952. She then moved to Spokane, Wash., where she owned and operated the Desert Nursing Home until 1956.

Mrs. Lee returned to Coeur d'Alene and remained there until 1963, when she bought the Sandpoint Manor in partnership with her husband, Mannie Arnold and Ron and Dorothy Arnold.

Tommie retired in 1975 and began spending winters in Arizona, where she eventually made her permanent home.

Tommie was an avid bowler and one of her biggest regrets was not bowling a perfect series, although she maintained a 200-plus average well into her 80s. She was a competitive ballroom dancer, making many of her competition gowns. Tommie was also an excellent seamstress and began quilting at the age of 86. She made beautiful quilts, many of which she donated to be sold or raffled for charitable causes.

Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Arthur and Clifford; a sister, Donna Lein; her husband, Mr. R. Arnold and two daughters, Betty Scoles and Nancy Krell.

She is survived by her sister, Elda McGovern of Sun City; daughters, Marilyn Smith of Novato, Calif., Bonnie Price of Sagle, Idaho, and Diana Arnold of Bellevue, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Lee was a remarkable woman who was loved and respected by all who knew her. She will be missed.