Marcelle L. "Allain" Arruda

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Marcelle L. (Allain) Arruda. A long-time resident of Marlborough, Marcelle passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026 at the age of 88, surrounded by the love of her family.

Marcelle was born in Acushnet, MA, the daughter of the late Henry Michel and Marie Louise (LaFlamme) Allain. The youngest of eight children, and the only girl, Marcelle was adored by her family and often spoke about how wonderful her brothers were throughout her life. She was raised in the home in which she was born, attended St Francis Xavier elementary school and graduated from St. Anthony High School in New Bedford.

After high school, Marcelle went to work as a secretary at My Bread Baking Company in New Bedford. She was introduced to her future husband by a mutual friend who wanted to make sure that Tony had a date for a dance that he was organizing at his university.

That event began a special courtship, and the couple were married in September, 1960. Once married, Marcelle dedicated herself to taking care of her family and their home. In 1963, Marcelle and Tony moved to Marlborough and resided there for more than 60 years.

Devoutly Catholic, they were members of the Immaculate Conception Parish. While her children were young, Marcelle was also active in the community through the Marlborough Junior Women's Club. She was a devoted mother, lovingly raising her six children, always involved in their school, music, sports and scouting activities, and teaching religious education. Leisure time at home was filled with playing games and cards and always with music playing in the background. Marcelle had learned favorite traditional recipes from her French-Canadian mother and her Portuguese mother-in-law and passed her culinary talents along to her children by always letting them help in the kitchen.

Marcelle became just as devoted to her grandchildren, who loved their Memere dearly. When Marcelle and Tony bought their vacation home in York Beach, ME, she loved sharing it with family and close friends, and enjoyed many beautiful days spent at the house and on the beach with her dear grandchildren. She returned to knitting, which she had learned as a child, and created beautiful sweaters and other items for her children and grandchildren. Even in her 80s, Marcelle was still knitting dozens of baby blankets, which she joyfully gave away to friends and family and to the Church to be given to mothers in need. Marcelle also held various part-time jobs over the years and retired from Universal Underwriters Insurance company.

She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Anthony "Tony" C. Arruda Jr. in December 2023. Marcelle was also pre-deceased by her brothers Maurice and his wife Madeline Allain, Gerald Allain, Bertrand and his wife Jacqueline Allain, Robert Allain, Jean Allain, Henry Allain and Andre Allain.

Marcelle is survived by her 6 children, Elizabeth Arruda and her husband Scott Anderson of Bolton, Anthony Arruda III and his wife Ellen of Ann Arbor, MI, John Arruda of Framingham, Timothy Arruda and his fiancée Romilda Mariano of Clinton, Elise LaCroix of Marlborough, Christine DiBuono and her husband AJ of York, ME, and 11 grandchildren: Nicole, Leah, Anthony and his wife Oneirys, Etsie, Gary and his wife Paige, Alex and his wife Shelby, Audrey and her fiancé Patrick, Jameson, Kirsten, Jeremy and his fiancée Emily, and Matthew.

Marcelle is also survived by her dear sisters-in-law Carmen Allain, Lucille Allain, Marie Allain, Maria Sylvia and her husband Kenneth, Gloria Arruda, brother-in-law John Arruda and his wife Kathy, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 5-7 pm in the Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main St., Marlborough, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11 am in Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough, MA. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.