Arlene Marie Freitas

1932 - 2014

Arlene Marie Freitas Feb. 27, 1932 - July 2, 2014 On the afternoon of July 2, 2014 Arlene Freitas passed peacefully surrounded by loving family members after a long battle with kidney disease at the age of 82. Born in Sauk Centre Minnesota to Edward and Grace Miller in 1932, Arlene attended nursing school at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud Minnesota and graduated in 1952. In 1953 she moved to Long Beach, California, and moved to Marin County in 1955. She worked as a private duty nurse, then for Kaiser Permanente, in the alcohol unit for the County of Marin, and finally for 27 years for Rafael Convalescent Hospital until her retirement in 2006. After retirement she worked as a lay minister for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Novato, taking communion to the elderly, sick and shut-ins of the parish. In 2011 she moved to Nazareth House, a Catholic senior care facility in San Rafael, where she had volunteered for many years. Arlene enjoyed cooking and gardening, and watching the deer, hummingbirds and butterflies that frequented her Novato neighborhood. She is survived by her sons Raul and Mani Freitas, and her daughters Lori Piombo, Nanci Freitas, Barbara Capers, and Elizabeth Freitas. She is also survived by her sister MaryAnn McGill, and brothers Don and James Miller. She also leaves behind grandchildren Robin, Anthony, Eva, Joshua, Mario, Vincent, Brandon and Grayson. The family wishes to thank the staff of Nazareth House and Northgate DaVita Dialysis Center for their generous care and support. A rosary will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday July 8th at Keaton's Mortuary at 1022 E St., San Rafael. A funeral mass will be held at the Nazareth House chapel on Wednesday, July 9th at 10:30 AM at 245 Nova Albion Way in San Rafael.