Arlene Constance Stavenger

1935 - 2024

Arlene Constance Stavenger

February 6, 1935 - June 24, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - Arlene Constance Stavenger, known to her family and friends as Connie, died on June 24 at Sayre Friendship Towers after a long illness. A native of New Hampshire, Connie moved to Lexington in 1988, with her late husband Vern to escape New England winters and to be closer to family. Both Connie and Vern were veterans of the United States Air Force having met while they both served in Florida. Vern's career took their growing family to assignments in South

Dakota and Okinawa. Connie grew up in a French-American Catholic family, where both French and English were spoken in her home. From her faith, she was a deeply caring person who believed that we are on earth to help one another, especially the most vulnerable and needy. She would spend parts of the Christmas season sitting in the K-mart layaway department. After identifying a struggling family, she would offer to pay the balance on their purchases so they could use their limited resources for other pressing needs. Connie loved her dogs, especially Lucy and Daisy, who became her home companions after she was widowed. She remembered her family and all her friends, by name, each day while praying the rosary. Carol Howard was one of her special friends who offered regular companionship and care in later years. In the last few months, loving and compassionate caregivers were extremely helpful,

especially Amy Sparks and Lici Garcia who became like family members. Connie's living legacy teaches us that if we all did just a little bit to help others, no matter how small, it can all add up and can make a tremendous difference.

She is survived by three children: Donna (Mark) Johnson of Lexington, KY; Robert (Mary) Stavenger of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Paul (Cathy) Stavenger of Manchester, New Hampshire; 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; and a brother Paul (Sara) Rodier of Cary, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Stavenger of Lexington, KY. A service of gratitude to God for her life will be held at Kerr Brothers on Harrodsburg Road on Tuesday morning, July 2 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation the previous evening, Monday July 1, from 5-7 p.m. Memorial Donations are suggested to the Humane Society of Lexington.