Arlene Frances Dwan

Arlene Frances Dwan, 77, of Quincy, MA, peacefully traveled home on May 31st, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family in the house she had lived in for 49 years.

Born on July 3rd, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY, Arlene was the daughter of Frances and Gerald Dunphy. She was raised in a warm, vibrant household with 6 other siblings, where she developed a love for adventure and a lifelong relationship with crumb cake and bagels with cream cheese. She attended Stella Maris High School in Rockaway, followed by Trinity College in Burlington, VT.

In the late 1960s, Arlene moved to Boston with a few friends to pursue a career at United Airlines. It was there that she met Richard Dwan. In a year, they went from tennis partners to life partners, building a beautiful collection of love stories book-ended by laughter. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary two weeks before Arlene’s passing, on May 17th.

Arlene had a gift for making people feel at home. She was a natural listener who radiated warmth, conviction, and compassion. Her deep sense of justice and equality was second only to an even deeper love for people. Whether organizing family reunions, community events, or just showing up to help- Arlene led with generosity and heart. She was “Mom” not only to her two sons, but also to a host of foster children and neighborhood kids who found comfort in her care.

Her devotion to friendship ran just as deeply. Arlene maintained weekly zoom calls with her college friends and roommates of 60 years. She was a beloved mentor and neighbor- cherished not only for her kindness, but for her trademark aviator sunglasses, emblematic winter vest, and snowblower in hand- always ready to help clear sidewalks during the snowiest New England mornings.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Richard, two sons Michael and Andrew, and her siblings, James, Edward, Anne, and Timothy.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family and celebrate Arlene’s life during visiting hours on Saturday, June 28th, 2025, from 11AM-1PM, with a short prayer service at 12PM at the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. See www.keohane.com for directions and online condolences.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.