Helen Lois Schwab (née Arfsten) passed away peacefully on the morning of January 15, 2025, in San Rafael, California. She was 95.

Lois was born in San Francisco, on December 6, 1929, to Lafrenz Harold "Tiny" Arfsten and Helen Marguerite Benson. She pursued coursework at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. After receiving her undergraduate degree in music, she traveled with friends through Europe and the Middle East. On February 1, 1958, she married Leo Frederick Schwab, Jr. of San Francisco. The couple had two sons, Leo L. Schwab and Loren W. Schwab.

She was predeceased by her younger brother, William Lafrenz "Bill" Arfsten; her mother, Marguerite; her father, Lafrenz (2001); her husband, Leo (2004); and her beloved and very dear friend, Robert W. "Bob" Penn (2015). She is survived by her two sons, Leo and Loren.

Music was Lois' lifelong passion. She played both piano and euphonium -- the latter with a variety of local bands, including Yesterday's Kids of San Rafael, Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco, and Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band. She was also an avid bowler with the Marin County Bowling Association, earning membership in the 600 club, with a peak average of 182 in 2000, continuing until the pandemic hit, finishing with 140 at age 90. But above all, she was a devoted homemaker and caring mother, looking after Leo and raising their two boys. Though senior cognitive decline slowed her down in her final years, she never lost her spirit, her pleasant demeanor, or her ever-present wish to be helpful.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to Regina Goodall; the staff of The Vincent, San Rafael; and the staff of Kaiser Hospital, Terra Linda, for their care of Lois during her final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant House of California, Los Angeles, or to St. Raphael's Catholic Church, San Rafael.

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