For the Pesina family, it was a night of overwhelming happiness Wednesday at the dedication ceremony of the Minnie Pesina Building in Pasco.

"It was a nervous day all the way around," said Dale Pesina Sr. "But a happy one for our family."

Tri-Cities Community Health, formerly known as Community Health Center La Clinica, celebrated the completion of the $7.4 million facility on Court Street in Pasco with an open house.

The event drew about 300 people who watched the ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the building.

Dale Pesina Sr., along with his four children, sat quietly during the ceremony, humbled by the honor of having the building named after his late wife.

Minnie Pesina was a member of the organization's board of directors before her death six years ago.

She was a longtime Tri-City activist and outspoken leader in the Latino community.

She also wasn't afraid to take a stand on issues she believed in. She was involved in picketing at La Clinica in 2004, during the health organization's turmoil over fired internal medicine doctors. She also maintained pressure on La Clinica and her efforts helped lead to the ousting of the organization's then executive director.

When the family learned a month ago that the building would be named after their mother, all they could say was "Wow!" said Pattrisha Pesina Mercado, 39, of Kennewick.

"At first we were told Diann (Kummer, chief operating officer for the health facility) was trying to get ahold of us," Mercado said.

The Pesina children thought they were going to receive another plaque in memory of their mother's devotion to community service.

"When we were told they decided to name the new Tri-Cities Community Health building after her, well, we were so honored."

And many in her large family, which includes 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, turned out for the open house.

Dale Pesina Jr., 35, of Burbank, said he felt a touch of sadness that his mother was gone and couldn't be with the family on such a special day.

"But this has been a special day, and we are so happy," he said.

Rosamarie (Pesina) Acevedo, 42, of Eltopia, couldn't have agreed more with her brother.

"It's simply been a wonderful day for our family," she said.

The new 40,000-square-foot facility has grown to include dental services, behavioral health services, support programs for women, infants and children and a call center.