Arlene Frances French

1945 - 2021

Arlene Frances French obituary, 1945-2021, Anacortes, WA

BORN

1945

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Evans Funeral Chapel - Anacortes

1105 32nd Street

Anacortes, Washington

Arlene French Obituary

Anacortes - Arlene Cote French, 76, of Anacortes, WA, passed away in the early morning hours of December 27, 2021, peacefully in her own home, after a 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Arlene was born on September 11, 1945, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Gilles and Yvonne Coté. Gilles' service as an Air Force o?cer took the family to many locations, including West Covina, California, Hampton Hill, England, and Omaha, Nebraska. In 1955 Gilles was transferred to Westover AFB near Chicopee, MA. In 1962 Arlene was working at a dry-cleaning shop located near the gate of the air base when she met future husband Bill French, who was an Air Policeman at nearby Stonybrook Air Force station. Not long afterward Bill was transferred to Anderson AFB in Guam, where he finished the remainder of his service. Arlene graduated from Chicopee High School in 1963, and Bill returned from duty in August of 1964. Bill and Arlene French were married on August 18, 1964 and moved to Maumee Ohio where son William was born in 1965, and daughter Jennifer in 1967.

In 1969 the young family moved to San Diego, California, where Bill worked as a tool and die maker. Arlene was a stay-at-home mom for the next few years, in a home full of pets, a constant influx of neighborhood kids, and very much love. She gave her family the very best, guiding and educating us about nutrition, constantly exploring new foods and recipes, and teaching her kids how to cook. As a member of local San Diego artist group Potters By The Dozen, she spent many happy hours crafting hand-made pottery in the garage. Arlene loved the ocean, and spent summers shuttling kids to swim lessons and area beaches. She was active in many local San Diego churches over the years, including Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church, and Horizon Christian Fellowship.

When Bill decided to launch his own company Miramar Machine & Tool, Arlene took the helm as Chief Financial O?cer, continuing in this role for the next company, Q3 CNC, helping to guide the company through the ups and downs of several decades, from the 1980s to the present day where she remained actively involved with the latest incarnation of Miramar Machine and Tool for many years. After her children left the nest, Arlene enjoyed serving on local San Diego civic groups including the Humane Society of San Diego, and a local committee that improved trees and vegetation planted in the meridians along Balboa Avenue.

In 2005, Bill and Arlene moved from San Diego to Anacortes Washington, to be near mother Yvonne and sister Denise (father Gilles passed away in 1994). There, she was once again active in local civic life, serving as volunteer and Board member for the Skagit Valley Humane Society, Board member of Evergreen Islands, and as a Deacon in Westminster Presbyterian Church. Arlene was an avid hiker, and frequently visited local wilderness areas in and around Skagit County with a cadre of local hiking friends, and often small dogs in tow. Favorite hiking areas include Cranberry Lake, Mount Erie, and Anacortes Community Forest, where she could frequently be found enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. She and husband Bill kept a house full of dogs, cats, and plants, and their backyard is certified as a wildlife habitat.

In August of 2020 Arlene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After months of treatment, doctors advised that it was terminal. After several months of treatment, Arlene decided to stop chemotherapy and focus instead on enjoying the final months of her life hiking in nature, and spending time with friends and family.

Arlene is survived by husband Bill; son William (Cindy); daughter Jennifer; sisters, Michelle and Denise; and grandchildren, Susanna, Jonathan, Eden, Benjamin, Zack, and Pluto. She is predeceased by mother Yvonne Coté, and father Gilles Coté.

If you would like to make a contribution in Arlene's memory, we recommend the following:

Humane Society of Skagit Valley (www.skagithumane.org)

Evergreen Islands (www.evergreenislands.org)

Friends of the Forest (www.friendsoftheacfl.org)

Skagit Land Trust (www.skagitlandtrust.org)

Skagit Farmlands (www.skagitonians.org/)

A Graveside service to be held January 15, 2022 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery, 411 Hillcrest Dr. Anacortes WA 98221. All are welcome. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel. To share memories, please visit Arlene's online obituary at www.evanschapel.com.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2022.
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Memorial Events
for Arlene French

Jan

15

Graveside service

11:00 a.m.

Grandview Cemetery

411 Hillcrest Dr., Anacortes, WA

Funeral services provided by:

Evans Funeral Chapel - Anacortes

1105 32nd Street, Anacortes, WA 98221

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