Arlene E. BALSER

BALSER, Arlene E.
Arlene Elizabeth Chamberlin Balser, wife of the late William J. Balser and the late Wyllis J. Swartz, peacefully passed away in her Florida home on Saturday, (July 13, 2013). Arlene was born on May 14, 1923 in Windham Center, CT; her parents are the late Homer W. and Lillian Rathburn Chamberlin. Arlene leaves her two sons; Reid W. Swartz and his wife Wendy of Fort Myers, FL and Richard W. Balser and his wife Sharon of Manchester, CT. She also leaves five grandchildren Trevor, Tyler Swartz and his wife Jennifer and Danielle, Cristina and Bryan Balser. Arlene also leaves two great-grandsons, Bailey Moser and Reid D. Swartz. Arlene leaves her sister Grace Kingsbury of Manchester, NH, her sister Verna Phillips and her husband Edward of East Windsor, CT and her sister-in-law Mildred, wife of her late brother Wallace of Willimantic, CT. Arlene was a graduate of Windham High School in Willimantic, CT, Class of 1942. After graduating from Meriden Hospital School of Nursing in 1945 she worked as an R.N. for three years. During her time in nursing school she also served as a Cadet Nurse during World War II at Fort Devens, MA. In 1959, Arlene joined the West Hartford Police Department as the department's first Policewoman. She retired from the department after 25 years of service. Arlene was a Charter member of the Obwebetuck Grange #206, a member of the Connecticut Association of Women Police, a past President of the Suburban Woman's Club of West Hartford, the Westerly Yacht Club and a member of the Elmwood Community Church.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2013 with burial to follow at the Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com.