Arlene Mae Willard

Arlene Mae Willard passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, January 17, 2020 in Pearl River, New York at the age of 93.  Arlene was born on November 16, 1926 to Charlotte and Joseph Halpern in Queens, New York. The matriarch and cornerstone of her loving family, Arlene was caring, strong, generous, selfless, and dedicated to her family, around whom she centered her life at every stage. She was devoted to our Lord and the Catholic Church.  She left her mark in many ways, but first and foremost, she was defined by her love for her friends and family, especially her 10 children, 22 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.  Arlene enjoyed travelling to visit her family, puzzles, and shopping for bargains. Above all, she loved to play cards and dominoes, with her children and grandchildren happily trading nickels and dimes for so many precious memories made around kitchen tables all over the country.  Arlene is survived by seven children: Barbara Roberts and her husband Harry of Louisville, Kentucky; Kathleen Pritchard of Destin, Florida; Carol Rubio and her husband Richard of Atlanta, Georgia; Maureen Siragusa and her husband Patrick of Watertown, New York; Robert McManus and his wife Holly of Knoxville, Tennessee; Arlene Darby and her husband Stephen of Pearl River, New York; Gerald McManus and his wife Lisa of Suwannee, Georgia. She was predeceased by her beloved husband George Willard, Brother Lester Halpern, sister Lorraine Mascioli, first husband Philip A. Fecke and their children Charlotte and Philip, and second husband George Joseph McManus and their son Michael.  Mass will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Corpus Christi Church, 307 Beach Drive in Destin, Florida. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Visitation is 4-5pm at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on Friday, January 24, and at the church on 11am on Saturday morning. 

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