Arlene Wilson

Arlene Wilson obituary, Lancaster, NH

Arlene Wilson

Arlene Wilson Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
Arlene Wilson, 67, of Lancaster, passed away at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care after a long battle with cancer on July 13th, 2021, surrounded by her three daughters. Arlene was born February 26, 1954, the daughter of Clyde and Nellie Douglass. She went to Spaulding High School in Rochester, NH, and then went on to study social work at the University of New Hampshire. Over the years, Arlene held many occupational roles including working as a banquet server for the Marriot in her twenties, and a software support specialist at the New Hampshire Insurance Agency in her thirties. Later in life, she delivered flowers for Riff Flower Shop, was the church secretary at the Lancaster Congregational UCC, and was a home health caregiver to many of the community's elderly and vulnerable. At the time of her death, Arlene worked for the North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency as a social worker, where she cared for the dying. At the same time, she bravely battled breast cancer, but she was driven by her passion for helping the vulnerable even in her time of sickness. However, Arlene would say that her most significant role in life was that of a mother. She raised her three daughters with strength and conviction, demonstrating authentic leadership and passion for community and family. Arlene chaperoned countless field trips, attended all plays, concerts, and sporting events, went on college tours, and helped furnish new apartments to feel like home. She was an advocate and a cheerleader for her daughters every step of the journey, and to say that she will be greatly missed in their lives is an understatement. She was indeed the matriarch of her family. Arlene was very active in her community. A woman of strong faith, she loved the Congregational church and its members like family. She was also an avid cook and looked forward to participating in the annual 'Soup and Chowder Fest' in Lancaster, often winning or placing in the top three, year after year. Through Home Health & Hospice, her patients gave her strength and filled her days with love as she cared for them in their end of life. She was also an animal lover and adopted several stray or elderly pets over the years, many through the Riverside Animal Rescue in Lunenburg, VT. She enjoyed fishing up at Cobb's Pierce Pond Camps in Maine and loved the ocean from growing up in Rochester, NH, where she frequently traveled to the beach in her youth. It was her dream to live by the ocean again. Diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2017; it quickly spread to her lymph nodes and metastasized in her bones, and ultimately her liver. She fought long and hard against it but eventually succumbed to the disease. She is survived by her three daughters, Brittany, Sayre, and Paige, her sister Linda Bhattacharya, and her brother David Douglass (Kay Douglass). A service in memory of Arlene will be held on Saturday, July 24th at 10:00 AM at the Congregational UCC in Lancaster, NH, followed by a light lunch and coffee hour at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Riverside Animal Rescue. Donations may be made online by clicking the "donate" button here: www.riversideanimalrescue.org/howtohelp. Checks may be sent to Riverside Rescue at 236 Riverside Ave, Lunenburg, VT 05906. We ask that you please indicate on the memo line or website that the donation is in honor of Arlene Wilson.

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Sign Arlene Wilson's Guest Book

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July 23, 2021

Murphy's of Elmira NY planted trees.

July 23, 2021

Murphy's posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2021

Nancy Hachez posted to the memorial.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Murphy's of Elmira NY

Planted Trees

Murphy's

July 23, 2021

Our condolences from Sayres Elmira ny family. We only met Arlene once on her visit to ithaca ny. I'm sure she was extremely proud of her daughters. It was obvious through her that she gave them independence, intelligence, a purpose and a strong sense of commitment to community. To Sayre I say your friends and family are here for you and your sisters whatever and wherever if you every need anything we're here for you.

Love and prayers
Matt, Bridgid,
Thomas, Lauren and Colleen

Nancy Hachez

July 21, 2021

Will miss your dear friend. Nancy Hachez

jan chittick

July 19, 2021

My heart aches over this extremely difficult and surprising news...I am terribly saddened. I last saw Arlene at the class reunion with her sister linda in august 2017. Not only did she and I share so very many beautiful, heartwarming and hilarious family stories, but our kids did too. The Douglasses and Chitticks go way back to the beginning of time as our Dad's were best buds and UMO frat brothers. Arlene definitely had her dad's sense of humor, untouched by any other. A wonderful person, mother and friend whom I will miss terribly. May the light of your spirit carry on to your great girls and I pray they will always know I'm here for them, always. God Bless and I love you. Jan Chittick

Sharon Eaton

July 19, 2021

Arlene was a caring and wonderful person who took in the elderly pets from Riverside Rescue and gave them all the love and care possible. Arlene will be missed.

Vicki O'Donnell

July 19, 2021

I am heartbroken over the loss of my dear friend. When I think of high school, I think of Arlenethe women's track team she helped start, the band trips, the sleepovers, the 25 cent gasoline for her Volkswagen bugHer amazing spirit will always be in my heart and now lives on in her beloved daughters of which she was so proud. Rest In Peace, my friend, and may time and precious memories bring comfort and peace to all her family and friends. With love and prayers, Vicki

Jolen Aubin

July 16, 2021

I will miss our conversations. We always had so much to talk about. A brave, courageous woman you were! So much love and strength! Your love for your family was remarkable as was your love for all the critters, even the bats. And how your patients loved you! Love you now and always

Teri Friend-Schlemmer

July 16, 2021

Arlene was in my high school class at Spaulding HS. I always thought Arlene had a sweet & sparkly personality. I viewed many of her FB posts & felt somehow still connected to her. I loved seeing all her posts with her daughters. It is so very clear, that they were the light of her life. She had a heart of gold that focused beyond family & friends & spilled over into caring for the folks at the hospice agency she where she served as a social worker. It seems Arlene truly lived her best life, in the days she had here on this earth. Prayers & peace be with her family. Until we see you again
Teri Friend-Schlemmer SHS class of 1972

Anne Woodard

July 16, 2021

I am so, so sorry to lose such a special friend as Arlene. Although we only knew each other for a few years, I so admired her courage, faith, and love for her daughters. She took her medical set backs in stride and never lost her appreciation of life, animals, and the beauty all around us. I loved corresponding with her and sharing photos, laughs, and positive thoughts. I was truly hoping I would get to see her in person again. My heart goes out to you Sayre, Britt, and Paige...your Mom was absolutely the best!

Chrisann Emery

July 16, 2021

May you rest in peace my friend, you were one of my best friends iij n the north country, we had alot of fun times,until we meet again,I will always love and miss you

David & Maryann Black

July 17, 2021

We met Arlene in a professional environment and only knew her a short time. She was a kind, lovely woman that gave us strength and hope. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends. May she rest peacefully in gods arms.

Eric Drew

July 17, 2021

I knew Arlene back at Spaulding High. She sat behind me in history class and was also manager for the track team and later ran track for the women's team. She was a real friend that always had a smile. My condolences to her family.

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Sign Arlene Wilson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 23, 2021

Murphy's of Elmira NY planted trees.

July 23, 2021

Murphy's posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2021

Nancy Hachez posted to the memorial.