Arlene Beverly Gemba

It's with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Arlene B. (Drake) Gemba (Norwood, MA) on August 18, 2025, just a few months short of her 96th birthday. She passed peacefully at the Beth Israel-Needham hospital after a brief illness. Arlene was a long-time resident of Norwood and a member of the Grace Episcopal Church of Norwood. Her Faith and values played key roles in how she dealt with the challenges of a long life. She was the daughter of Leon & Gertrude Drake (Norwood, MA) and sister to the late Bernice Urquhart (Millis, MA) and the late Phyllis Oelschlagel (Walpole, MA). Starting life in Dorchester, MA, at the beginning of the Great Depression, definitely contributed to her strong, independent, honest, and compassionate character. Arlene graduated from the Peabody (Vocational) School at Norwood High, majoring in cosmetology, and enjoyed a very long career well past normal retirement. After losing both their spouses (Donald B. Lawrence and Dorothy Collins), Arlene and Robert F. Gemba (Norwood, MA) married, forming a large blended family (Lawrence & Gemba). During her long life, Arlene witnessed a broad span of American and World events that introduced many significant changes to life, but she always remained lovingly focused on her children and extended family. She was a Wonderful Mom in every way. The welfare and happiness of her loved ones were her number one priority in life, and were returned in kind. She was constantly helping and caring for others.

On the Lawrence side, Arlene is survived by Denise Lawrence (Norwood, MA), David & Patricia Lawrence (St. Louis, MO), Donald (Brad) Lawrence Jr. (Norwood, MA), Dale & Dawn Lawrence (Medway, MA), Daniel & Tanya Lawrence, Walpole, MA) and preceded by Debra Jean Lawrence (Norwood, MA). She is also survived by grandchildren Julie Lawrence (St. Louis, MO), Donald & Michelle Lawrence III (Blackstone, MA), Zach Lawrence (Medway, MA), and preceded by Daniel W. Lawrence Jr. (Providence, RI). The surviving great-grandchildren are Dean & Nolan Lawrence (Blackstone, MA) and Marley Lawrence.

On the Gemba side, Arlene is survived by the family of her deceased husband Robert F. Gemba: Janet and Eric Rutan of Melrose, MA, Denny and Scott Rallis of Lebanon, Tenn., Robert and Ellen Gemba of Canton, MA, Pattie and Sandy McLeish of Attleborough, MA, Mary Costello of Cumberland, RI, and Chris and Barbara Gemba of Attleborough, MA. She is also survived by grandchildren: Jessica McPhee, Michelle Petrosh, Ross and Wes Gemba, Alex and Justin McLeish, Christopher Costello, Chelsi, Xie and Oliver Gemba; great-grandchildren: Shannon, Caitlin, and Keira McPhee, Emily, Jacob, and Colin Petrosh, Molly and Harrison McLeish, Michael and Dean McLeish, Aura Gemba, and Bryson Deller.

Arlene leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of her loved ones, and she will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Services and interments will be private. In place of flowers, donations to The Special Olympics would be appreciated.