Arlene E. Lareau

MARSHFIELD - Arlene Ella Lareau, 80, of Taylor Farm Road, passed in peace and love into the arms of the Lord in the early morning of the Sabbath on April 11, 2015, surrounded by her family at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

She was born on May 25, 1934 in Brookdale, New York, to Ambrose S. and Violet (Shaw) LaRow. In 1937, the family moved to Waterbury Center where Arlene attended the Green Mountain Seminary School. In 1952, Arlene graduated from Waterbury High School. That year, she moved to Plainfield, where her brother Roy was working on a farm.

In 1959, she married Harold Burnham. He passed away in 1963. Arlene married Stanley Hook in 1966 and divorced in 1986. At that time, she legally changed her name back to the original French spelling of Lareau.

Arlene owned and operated a boarding kennel for 27 years, Ferncrest Kennels. Severe osteoarthritis forced her to close the kennel. She was also a dog obedience instructor and taught dog obedience classes at Montpelier Recreation Center for 35 years, at St. Johnsbury Recreation Center for 25 years, at the Barre Auditorium basement for several years. Arlene was also a dog behavior counselor for many, many years. She was a member of the Green Mountain Dog Club in Stowe in 1951 and served as the Montpelier City Dog Catcher for a number of years.

Arlene loved children very much. She became a licensed home day care and a licensed foster home for a few years. Arlene also hosted many children through the Fresh Air Fund over the years, and "heart adopted" one of them, Robert. Her home was always filled with children, as well as her numerous dogs and cats.

Arlene loved to bake. She baked, decorated, sold and gave away many beautiful cakes to her church families and friends. Arlene's many interests included family genealogy, sewing, her flower garden, and oil painting. In earlier years she loved traveling. In her later years she was a senior companion working out of the council on aging. She charmed strangers into becoming lifelong friends with her keen sense of humor, insightful and honest reading of people, and prayerful devotion to community and family. She loved the land she called home for over 60 years in Marshfield, Vermont.

Arlene is survived by her sons, Stanley (Danelle Parrish) Hook Jr., of Marshfield, Scott (Jessica) Hook, of Burlington, her heart-adopted son, Robert (Gloria) Woodard, of Brooklyn, New York; her 10 grandchildren; and 3 siblings, Edward LaRow, Cindy Golec and Irene Grout.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Harold Burnham, and her brothers Roy LaRow and Floyd LaRow.

Arlene was a longtime member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in both Barre and then St. Johnsbury churches. She sleeps and awaits the call of the life-giver, Jesus Christ, when He fulfills his promise to return and take us Home with Him. Oh Glorious Day! No more pain, no more sorrow and no more death. And Life eternal!

Calling hours will be on Thursday, April 30 from 6 -- 8 p.m. at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.

A memorial service for Arlene will be held on Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at the Barre-Montpelier Seventh-day Adventist Church, 297 Vine Street-Berlin, Barre. All those whose lives were touched by Arlene are welcome to attend.

Interment will follow the service at Plain-Mont Cemetery in East Montpelier.

Memorial donations for the ongoing care of her three beloved dogs may be made to Scott Hook, 41 Grey Meadow Drive, Burlington, VT 05408.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For memorial guestbook visit www.hookerwhitcomb.com.