In Loving Memory of Norberta Hilliard

Norberta Ann (Arviso) Hilliard was born on September 13, 1941, in Seattle, Washington, to Emma and Enrique “Henry” Arviso Sr. As a young child, she was baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she remained a lifelong member. She was raised in Seattle’s Central District and attended Gatzert, Summit, Meany, Holy Names, and Garfield.

A highlight of her youth was being crowned Queen of the Dimas Alang in 1957—a true royal honor in Seattle’s Filipino community. Shortly thereafter, the love of her life, Barney Hilliard, found her and made her his Queen for Life. Together, they shared 67 beautiful years of marriage, blessed with five children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends who celebrated Norberta as the regal matriarch of the Arviso and Hilliard families.

Throughout her journey, Norberta wore many crowns—daughter, sister, wife, friend, and nurturer—but her most cherished role was Queen Mother, the heart of a large and loving extended family who looked to her for wisdom, comfort, strength, and her legendary quick wit and humor.

Norberta was equally dedicated in her professional life. A Queen of all trades, she was as committed in her work as she was at home. Her working life included roles as a bakery assistant, a meticulous bank teller, a diligent bookkeeper, and an efficient office manager. In every role, she brought dedication, skill, and compassion, treating every endeavor as if she were tending to her queendom. Yet her greatest work was in the lives she shaped—her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the extended family and friends who always found a warm welcome in her presence.

For over 56 years, whether she was spending her time as a homemaker or in the workforce, her home in Montlake—the Hilliard family court, also known as “The Haven”—was a gathering place filled with love, laughter, stories, and food seasoned with love. She had a sovereign gift for making space for others, and her table was always set for an expanding royal circle.

Queen Norberta’s legacy is rooted in love—the kind that teaches, heals, uplifts, and multiplies across generations. She changed the world not by seeking a throne, but by giving herself freely and royally to the people she loved.

Beyond her royal duties, Norberta delighted in the joys of everyday life. She especially loved celebrating, decorating, and being festive for birthdays and holidays with family and friends. She enjoyed collecting rhythm and blues and Motown records; attending concerts—especially the Temptations, the Four Tops, and Earth, Wind & Fire; and dining at Seattle’s best restaurants.

She was famous for her cooking—adobo, gumbo, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, dressing, and anything smothered in gravy—and for her baking: pound cake, pineapple upside-down cake, German chocolate cake, carrot cake, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato and pecan pies. She also cherished summer picnics; trips to Reno, Las Vegas, and Canada with friends and family; bowling; sewing; arts and crafts; shopping; gardening; and her family dogs, most recently Jax and Brook.

In 2007, she faced leukemia and a host of complications—a battle she was not expected to win. Yet in a triumph nothing short of miraculous, and by the boundless grace of the Lord, she was granted 18 more beautiful years to reign over and care for her family.

After a courageous battle with dementia, Norberta departed this earthly life, and our angel was crowned. She took her final, majestic rest and went to be with King Jesus on October 18, 2025, surrounded by family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son Bruce; her brothers Henry Jr., Eugene, Douglas, Richard, and Ronald; her brothers-in-love Joseph Sr., Billy, and Ray; sisters-in-love Atris; Dorothy, and Marilee; and her dear friend Katherine Gulley.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Barney; her children, Rita, Jeffrey, Teri (James), and Tracy; her grandchildren, Jessica, James III, Jalen, and Brandon; her great-grandchildren, Demetri and Johonna; her brother-in-love, Hartsel; her sisters-in-love, Joanne, Janis, Antonia, and Paulette; her lifelong friends Gwen Follings, Ramona Bohannon, Gwen Waterhouse, Luella Cowan, and Gwen Terry; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Her love lives on in every life she touched.

A Royal Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 820 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.