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Mary Arel Obituary



Mary (Furyk) Arel, 83, died on Wednesday, April 2 at John Dempsey Hospital, Farmington, with her children by her side. Born in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, she moved with her husband to Ashford after they married in 1947; in 1951, they abandoned dry wells, goats, and rural life in general for Hartford, where they remained. They did enjoy travel, especially to Benito Juarez (Cancun), Mexico, where they made long-lasting friendships. Mary was a loving, conscientious, and resourceful mother and homemaker, and a self-effacing person of seemingly boundless energy and optimism. Her greatest joy after child-rearing came to her as a volunteer at the Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System in Newington where she volunteered for 39 years, until March 12, 2014. A long-time parishioner of St. Joseph Cathedral, she was active in Prayer Shawl, Senior Lunch, and other activities. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen A. Lyons, and her son, John R. Arel; she was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in July 2013. She also leaves to cherish her memory sisters-in-law Susan Arel and Sheila Arel, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, long-time friends, and neighbors who will miss her so. Everyone will find solace in the thought that she can now feast on popcorn and raspberries, drenched in butter and cream, respectively. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. in The Cathedral of St. Joseph; 140 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 555 Willard Ave., Newington CT, and Attention: Voluntary Service, Memo: account 8002. Funeral arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc. For online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.

Published by Hartford Courant on Apr. 6, 2014.
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I hope you get this message, John I so sorry to find you have lost both parents. I always enjoyed their company when I was visiting you.

Kim-Jean Webb Walsh

February 27, 2015

I'll never forget Mr. Arel talking incessantly about his wife Mary. When I first met him he was on a guided tour in Europe. His wife couldn't make the trip, and he was missing her company.

Through the years, Mr. Arel and I became pen pals and Mrs.Arel would always write a quick note in the letter as well. That's how I came to know her. Letters turned into phone calls and finally, a visit.

When I met Mrs. Arel in person I was surprised to see she was so small in stature. How could this woman with so much strength and charisma be so tiny? She was a fireball! No one would ever get one by her unless she was letting it slide.

As the years went on, I learned more about her untiring devotion to her family, volunteer work and faith. Never backing down, she fought for right and let you know if you were in the wrong.

She told me about the importance of standing up for yourself and your family. She said when her family was young, they had a landlord who made them move out of their apartment because he didn't allow children. Mr. Arel went to this landlord's apartment one day to help with a repair problem and found that the man had his own kids living in the very building. When Mrs. Arel got wind of this she went directly to the landlord and gave him an earful. “Shane on you,” she said to him. “Shame on you!”

She was the beautiful girl at the pond that Mr.Arel invited to ice skate. “She was the cutest girl around”, he said when describing young Mary.

No matter how ill she was, her prayers were always filled with remembrances of others. Years and years spent helping the Veterans with a cheerful attitude. “They're the nicest people” she would say of the Veterans.

I've learned so much from her and am terribly sorry she is gone. I can only hope to have a small amount of her tenacity, joy and love for others.

Jo Daniel

May 28, 2014

Kathy, I was sorry to read about your mother's passing. She was lovely to me during our high school years. I have memories of her in the Girard Avenue kitchen as you and I devoured Wise potato chips. My best to you.

Marylyn Nolan

April 11, 2014

We loved Mary so much here at the VA. She was a wonderful person and we all LOVED her. I will miss her laugh and her humor, and so smart. My day was made seing her.
Mary had the most wonderful capacity to make every single person feel that they were cherished and special. She also could stand up for her rights in a most ladylike way, but you knew right where you stood.
She was a one of a kind person and she will
always be in my thoughts. Her Friendship added so much to my life as well as many others.

Ruth Donaldson

April 9, 2014

Kat and John, we are so very sorry for your loss. There will never be another like Auntie Mary. We were all truly blessed to have had her in our lives. Your Mom will forever be in our hearts. Grandma S. and the whole gang welcome her home, There is a new angel in heaven! We love and miss you Auntie M.!

Bob and Debi

April 7, 2014

My most deepest condolences to Family. Words cannot describe what a wonderful and beautiful person Mary was. Heaven has taken a kind and beautiful person. My love to you always Mary...Judy Camacho

April 7, 2014

Kathy & John - Dennis and I were sorry to read about Aunt Mary's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. She was a great lady and we have many fond memories of her, especially her escapades with Lorraine. Hugs,

Donna & Dennis Hubbs

April 6, 2014

I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Mary. She was a very good friend of my sister Irene Stavola and i saw her many times at the V A in Newington. God Bless her.. John Scully

April 6, 2014

Wow! Mary was amazing! Met her as a child as she was a family friend, got to know her better at the VA. Her smile and gentle spirit was amazing. She was always ready to give a hug and words of encouragement. It was always such a pleasure to see her, always upbeat and in a good mood and took time to talk to every one and made them feel special and cared about, me included. I will miss her!!!

Evelyn Navarrete

April 6, 2014

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Memorial Events
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8

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

The Cathedral of St. Joseph

140 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT

Funeral services provided by:

Ahern Funeral Home, Inc - Hartford

180 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105

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