Rose Otilia Fishburn passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her home on December 4, 2025, with her loving husband by her side. She was born on January 3,1948, in Panama City, Panama, to Delia Ortega and Tomas Jesús Herrera.  Rose immigrated to the United States in 1963, at age 15, and was raised by her mother and adoptive father, James Helton. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1968. The previous year she met the love of her life while working at the Suki Yaki Inn; they married in July 1968 at Mary Queen Parish Catholic Church and were married for 57 years. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1988."

Rose is survived by her husband, Robert "Bill," her children, Bill (Beth), Ralph (Fei), Rose (Shahab), Rita (Russ), as well as 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Judy Pollock, Henry Helton, Doris (Sam) Fabrizio, and her sister-in-law, Sara Helton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, Delia, and her brothers, George and Charles.

Over the years she cared for many others as though they were her own family, including Tracy Anderson, who she considered one of her sons. She had an enormous amount of love that she spread generously, often through food. She loved cooking, baking, and gardening, which she shared with her family and friends. In recent years she attended St. Ann Catholic Church and was previously a member of Mary Queen Parish.

Her Rosary will be held at St. Ann Church, 2120 E 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99202, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 6:00p. Viewing will be held 30 minutes prior to the Rosary service. Her Funeral service will be held at St. Ann Church, Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11:00am with a reception immediately following. Graveside Service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Friday, December 19, 2025, at 2:00pm.

Many considered Rose to be a beacon of bright light and a source of warmth and comfort. To perpetuate this memory of her, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Social Concerns fund at St. Ann Church in Rose's name.