Arlene Elizabeth Zirkel

Arlene Elizabeth Zirkel, 86 of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of July 27, 2024.

Arlene was born in Paterson, New Jersey on January 25, 1938, to Thomas and Marion Gaspardino. She attended private school at St. Joseph School in Paterson and graduated from high school in 1955. She was involved in many extracurricular activities which included cheerleading, glee club and student council. Arlene took dance classes throughout her childhood and participated in numerous recitals. After high school, Arlene completed secretarial school and began working at International Telephone and Telegraph in Clifton, New Jersey. Arlene and her family relocated from New Jersey to several locations including Florida, Africa, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia before moving to Texas in 1976. Arlene began her career with the Texas House of Representatives in 1977. During her career with the House of Representatives, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities from the University of Texas in 1989. While at the House of Representatives, she worked for several committees which included: Agriculture and Livestock; Liquor and Regulation; Environmental Affairs; Labor and Employment Relations; and Criminal Jurisprudence where she served as Committee Clerk. State Representative, Sam W. Russell, stated to Arlene upon the completion of the 72nd Texas Legislative Session "The greatest Committee Clerk in the House!" At the completion of the 73rd Texas Legislative Session, State Representative Allen Place wrote, "We could not have done it without you." Upon her retirement in 2000, State Representative Juan Hinojosa wrote "Arlene Zirkel has maintained high standards of professionalism to which all in the field of legislative service can aspire." Arlene absolutely loved her job positions and those she worked with. She maintained friendships with many peers after her retirement. They called (and still do) this wonderful group "The Rotundas."

After retirement Arlene kept quite busy. She began more intense genealogy research of her family and others she was close to. She researched local libraries, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT and even took a trip to Europe to discover more of her family ancestry. Arlene loved to take pictures everywhere she went and spent countless hours creating memory books for herself and family members. Arlene participated in several volunteer programs and spent hours mentoring, listening and helping others.

Arlene had a big heart and a deep love for the Lord, church, family, friends, pets and she was passionate about so much more. She loved her fellowship with St. Johns United Methodist Church, singing in The Amazing Grays/Cokesbury Choirs, studying and enjoying companionship with United Women in Faith (Hannah Circle), attending retreats and participating in various activities. Arlene, aka "Nana Zirkel" was a wonderful mother to her children and the most loving grandmother to all her grandchildren. She spent countless hours of quality time with each grandchild and managed to attend their numerous extracurricular activities. She took the part of taxi driver on many occasions. Arlene adored her pets! She was an animal lover her entire life and had a fondness for cats and Golden Retrievers. Arlene loved life! She had a beautiful smile that was infectious to those around her. Her laughter was joyous and lifted the spirits of others. She had many friends and family who adored and loved her dearly. Arlene had an overflowing love for others. She enjoyed traveling, walks on the beach, taking photos, creating photo albums, scrapbooking, gardening, genealogy, reading, participating in book clubs, cooking, having family and friend get togethers, striking conversations and becoming friends with complete strangers, taking walks with her dogs, volunteering for Gold Ribbon Rescue and the Seedling Mentor Program and drinking coffee whenever she wanted.

Arlene married her first husband, C. Richard Wilson in 1957 and they were blessed with five children together and Arlene gained two beautiful stepdaughters. Family trips were an annual event and Arlene made sure all nine participants were organized and ready to go. She was a kind, nurturing and loving wife and mother.

Arlene married her second husband Clifford H. Zirkel in 1986. She enjoyed listening to Clifford's Big Band Sounds of Austin. Together they traveled to many places throughout the SW United States. Their favorite trips were those taken to New Mexico and Colorado. The two of them enjoyed decorating their house as well as dressing up for Halloween and passing out candy. Decorating for Christmas was Arlene's favorite and having family over for Christmas was very special to her. She always assured everyone had a nice cozy pair of socks.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Marion Gaspardino; husband, Clifford Zirkel; first husband, C. Richard Wilson; son, Kenneth E. Wilson; stepdaughter, Joanna Rose Rogers; brother, Thomas J. Gaspardino.

She is survived by her brother, Robert S. Gaspardino of Austin, TX; son, Richard S. Wilson of Austin, TX; son, Paul W. Wilson of Austin, TX; daughter, Nancy Basey and husband Buck of La Grange, TX; daughter, Kathy Moden and husband Pat of Austin, TX; stepdaughter, Susan Marschner and husband Alan of Lake Worth, FL; granddaughter, Nicole Greaney and husband Cody of La Grange, TX; granddaughter Brooke Boothe and husband Colten of Buda, TX; grandson, Wade Murphy of Austin, TX; grandson, Kyle Murphy of Austin, TX; step granddaughter Jaime Sparks and husband Kevin of Crestview, FL; great grandchildren Saylor Greaney, Briar Boothe, and Briggs Boothe; great step-grandchildren Sydney and Autumn White and Luke Daniel; and the family of Clifford Zirkel: Son, Kip Zirkel and wife Ann of Hillsborough, NC and family; Bobby Zirkel and wife Jenny of Austin, TX and family; Rachel Trudell and husband Terry of Spicewood, TX and family; and the late Steve Zirkel of Austin, TX.

The family of Arlene would like to send a special thank you to Hospice Austin for the loving care, friendship and support the team provided for Arlene and her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Arlene's honor on September 7, 2024 at 1:OO in the afternoon at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Rd., Austin, TX 78756.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Arlene Zirkel to Gold Ribbon Rescue https://grr-tx.com/in-memory-of/ or the Seeding Mentor Program, https://www.seedlingmentors.org