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Louise Arnold Obituary
SOUTH BEND - Louise "Lou" Arnold, 87, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2010. A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Lou established permanent residence in South Bend in 1952. She first came to South Bend in 1948 to become a member of the South Bend Blue Sox of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. Lou spent four years with the team as a pitcher during which time she became so fond of South Bend and her many friends established in the area that she chose to remain here. In 1951 Lou contributed significantly to the success of the Blue Sox in winning the AAGPBL League Championship. During that year she led the league with a winning percentage of .833, tossed 32 consecutive scoreless innings, pitched a one-hitter and had 9 complete games out of 11 starts. She had a thirty year career with Bendix Corporation where she worked on the brake line. After retirement in 1982 she focused much of her time and energy visiting friends and family and traveling to reunions of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League where she treasured the moments spent with former players of the league. She spent countless hours responding to request for autographs and corresponding with young athletes interested in hearing of her days in the AAGPBL. Lou was inducted into the South Bend Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Lou was a devoted fan of Notre Dame Women's Basketball. Her season ticket location, just behind the Irish bench, gave her plenty of opportunities to offer Muffet McGraw coaching tips and lend words of encouragement to the team. As the youngest of thirteen children, Lou selected #13 for her AAGPBL uniform. She is preceded in death by her parents, George & Mary Ann (McCormick) Arnold, seven brothers and five sisters. She is survived by nieces Rita Lampinski of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Ann Barrie of Esmond, Rhode Island, her close friend and caretaker, Beverly Cloud, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2nd at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Friends are invited for a time of fellowship beginning at 10:00 a.m. A private funeral with burial will be held in Pawtucket, Rhode Island at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association. AAGPBL PA, Inc., c/o Shirley Burkovich, Treasurer, 67-430 Ovante Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234-8402.
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Memories and Condolences
for Louise Arnold
Kristyn Lampinski
June 7, 2010
Aunt Lou is an amazing woman with a beautiful soul and smile that would light up a room! I am blessed to have had her in my life.
Rita Lampinski
June 7, 2010
My Dear "Auntie"
I will say to you for the last time what we said to each other EVERY day for the past nine years on our special long distance "One Suite"-
"I Love You My Dear Auntie..God Bless You"
You were My Saint on This Earth... I am lost.
Your Loving #1 Neice-
Rita
Beth Lampinski
June 7, 2010
I will always remember my great aunt Lou who never forgot a Birthday even in her old age. I will miss her greatly and wish my son could have gotten to know how wonderful she was!! I love you Aunt Lou <3 <3
Judy Wetherbee
June 5, 2010
One of the joys of becoming an Associate Member was meeting and getting to be made welcome by Lou. I will always cherish her friendship.
Bernie Metesh
June 5, 2010
Lou Arnold, All-American, that says it all. We were rookies in 1948. Her concern about others and their health came from the heart. I personally know this. Her deep faith sustained her through difficult times.
Deb Bettencourt
June 3, 2010
The Pawtucket Slaterettes Girls' and Women's Baseball League sends our condolences to the Lampinski family. Louise is an inspiration to our players and will never be forgotten.
Marcia Stephens
June 2, 2010
Lou was one of a kind. She always made me smile. I will always remember her for that. Thanks for the laughs Lou.
Lynne Lampinski
June 1, 2010
She was my Aunt Lou and chances are she was yours as well. She was everyone's Aunt Lou. She was a strong woman with a kind heart, a good soul, and an infectious laugh and smile. She was an independent dame when, I'm guessing, that wasn't an easy thing to be. She played baseball -- in a skirt. She was a woman of faith and great humor. She never knew a stranger, making fast friends with young and old. She cherished moments and conversations. She could whistle (I always loved that). She was, and will continue to be, an inspiration. She is missed and held dear.
And, now, she’s playing ball.
God bless.
Kailey Louise Smith
June 1, 2010
I am so happy that I was able to interview my Aunt Lou last month for a school project. I ended up writing two pages about her and it's sure to be an A.
I was named after her and feel as though I have some big shoes to fill. Aunt Lou is someone I really look up to. She is so inspiring, no wonder she has so many friends, especially at 87 years old.
I love you and I will always make you proud. Your niece, Kailey Louise
Jennifer Pompey
June 1, 2010
Lou was a long-time charished friend of my aunt , Carole Moats. Lou would show up for Christmas as Santa, and our daughters face would light up, I will remember those times for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for blessing our family with your grace, and Thanks For The Memories!
Tom Carlson
June 1, 2010
Lou was a great lady whose life impacted many people with her sense of humor and personality. I remember meeting Lou for the first time at the 2008 Hall of Fame Classic tournament in Kenosha. She had great stories about the people she met playing baseball. I’ve never had such a good time or laughed so hard. We will miss you Lou. It's time for you to play ball!
Jeff Lampinski
June 1, 2010
I'll miss you Aunt Lou for all the good you brought to this world, especially so your indomitable optimism, spirit, and positive energy. You were my inspiration! Love, nephew Jeffrey.
Barbara Hammond
May 31, 2010
Lou was a friend of my mom Hannah Linson. Mom would see her when she came to visit her sister Berniece in CA. She was always so upbeat and fun to everyone. Our kids enjoyed her playing Santa and just being Lou. God Bless you Lou, you will be missed. Love Hannah Linson, Karen Harrison & Barbara Hammond
Julie DesLauriers
May 31, 2010
Lou was a champion on the ball field and a champion in life.
Erin Schmidt
May 31, 2010
Lou-
When I was in 7th grade, you were the first to help my with my History Day project... That brought us together for life. It is very rare to find someone who loved like you did. The last time that I talked to you on the phone, the Sunday before you left for heaven, you told me that you loved me at least 10 times. Thank you for loving me so much.
Thank you for all of the softball advice you gave me..."Give it your guts and Kill 'em, no not really." You have been and will continue to be in my heart every pitch.
There was no half way with you. You loved hard and you played hard. Thanks for allowing myself and my family to be a part of your life... We have truly been blessed.
Lots of Love,
Erin and the entire Schmidt family
P.S. Keep playing hard in the League up in Heaven
Alison (Acrey) Kerchner
May 31, 2010
Lou was a good friend of my aunt, Dot Guidi. Lou used to visit Dot's house at Christmas as "Santa" and our kids loved her! We will all miss her.
May 31, 2010
Lou, It was a thrill to be with you when you were inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown back in 2006. It will remain one of my fondest memories of you among many including the gatherings with your family in R.I., our famous roller skating trip through the streets of Provincetown and the many other fun times we had. Your infectious smile and twinkle in your eyes will be missed. Love, Kathy O'rourke, Jan Bates, Thompson Ct.
Angela Bittner
May 31, 2010
Lou was one of the greatest people I have ever met.
She always made each person that she came in contact with feel like it was a privilege for her to meet them. But in reality it was really an honor that we all had the opportunity and chance to meet and be HER friend.
Her voice and smile as well as her singing will be totally missed. Lou I love you and I will miss you.
Linda Breen
May 31, 2010
Lou was the most kind, generous, and supportive woman we knew. Her sense of humor will be missed. We are blessed to have known her. Our lives are so much richer because of Lou. We love you and will miss you.
Caitlin, Linda, and Jim Breen and Denise and Len Norack
Jackie Glasthal
May 30, 2010
I only met Lou a few times through my friend Sue, yet she made me feel a part of her extended AAGPBL family right from the start. And her Rhode Island family made me feel at home with them as well. What a wonderful group you all are!
Meeting you, Lou, even briefly, was truly a gift to me. You remain an inspiration about knowing how to live life to the fullest, despite obstacles that to some would seem insurmountable. You took them in stride, accepting them for what they were, forcing me to put my own challenges in perspective.
Thanks so much Lou for letting me into your world. Wish only that I could have gotten to know you sooner. You will remain in my heart always.
Phyl Smallwood
May 30, 2010
Lou, the candle may be burning bright but not as bright as your star in heaven is shining. Love and miss you.
Mike Eby
May 30, 2010
I first met Lou many years ago when I was just our of college and working at the Northern Indiana Center for History. She was truly an original. Once you heard that voice with the distictive new England accnt, you knew that Lou was there.
Stories she shared with us from her days in the AAGPBL were her greatest gift to us. She and her fellow players were truly role models for female athletes everywhere.
Godspeed, Lou! You will be missed.
Aunt Lou and I
Daniel Lampinski
May 30, 2010
Speaking for Lou's family back in Rhode Island; we are overcome with sadness at the loss of our beloved "Aunt Lou". Even though she lived in South Bend, she stayed in contact with her family and visited frequently. She loved my mother, Rita Lampinski and my mother loved her as an aunt and best friend. She was very kind and generous...truly a unique woman...a model of strength and virtue...and we were all so lucky to have her in our lives. I prayed today in church that your soul rest in peace. We miss you and will always love you.
Shannon Savage
May 30, 2010
Dearest Lou...thank you for your amazing legacy, your loyal friendship, and the extraordinary way you blessed each of us. It breaks my heart to realize I cannot see or talk to you again. The love and the light you gave to those of us who had the privilege to know you made us all better people. Rest in peace and without pain, sweetheart...
Kat Williams
May 30, 2010
Lou, Thanks for the memories, the laughs and the friendship. You touched so many people and we are all better for having known you.
Batter up,
Kat
Sue Macy
May 30, 2010
Lou truly was the heart of the AAGPBL family. She had unqualified love for so many of us, and we all loved her right back. What a loss for us all, but what a privilege to have been able to call her a friend.
Suzy Lewis
May 30, 2010
Lou, you were the dearest person in my life and I cannot imagine the world without you in it. I will our weekly (at least) conversations, as well as the time we have spent together.
Sally Unzueta
May 30, 2010
So many things could be written but they wouldn't do justice to your memory. Another Angel in heaven to watch over us.
Sally Unzueta
Carol Sheldon
May 30, 2010
Lou.... you enriched the lives of everyone who had the chance to meet you. I'm thankful for our friendship and I will miss you dearly. You are the Queen of Diamonds!!!!!!!!!!
May 30, 2010
I'm sorry to hear about Lou, she was such a good friend with my mom, Nancy DeShone Rockwell Dinehart. The AAGPBL were and are such a unique group of women. I will cherish the baseballs and posters that have Lou's signature. You will be missed by many and by our community.
May 30, 2010
Lou was a great friend to my mom , we often saw her at ND basketball games.
She was always a great insperation and loving person.
Her passing is a great loss to all who knew her, I hope God lets her watch over us all.
Alan Sears and Family
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