Arlene Walden

Arlene Joyce Walden, 80, of Prospect passed away peacefully while surrounded by the love of her family on Monday, November 22, 2021 at Middlebury Convalescent Home.  She was born August 31, 1941 in Bristol, Connecticut, a daughter of the late Ernest and Alvina (Krampitz) Walden.

Arlene was orphaned at the young age of 10 when both her parents died within two months of each other.  She and her brother Arthur Walden and sister Nancy Keparutis were lovingly raised as her own by their Aunt Olga Cole.  In 1952 Arlene, and her brother and sister were contestants on the well-known game show “Strike it Rich”; the episode was chronicled in the newspaper as well.

Arlene was a lifelong resident of Prospect, Connecticut.  After graduating Wilby high school in Waterbury in 1959, she worked at Somers Brass Company in Waterbury, then became an executive secretary for Peter Paul Cadbury in Naugatuck.  Her children were the happy recipients of the bounty of delicious chocolates and candies.  She also worked at Waterbury Companies, Inc in Waterbury, Connecticut Hospital Association in Wallingford, then retired from Webster Bank as a financial advisor executive assistant.

Arlene enjoyed music, loved to dance, and was a faithful volunteer at the Palace Theater and the Litchfield Jazz Festival.  Arlene, a dedicated lifelong Lutheran, had attended St. John’s Lutheran Church of Waterbury, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and always volunteered when needed.  She loved listening to music and dancing, being outdoors, gardening, going for car rides, and spending time at the beach.  She had the opportunity to travel with pilgrimages to Germany, Turkey, Israel, France, Mexico, as well as many cruises to the Caribbean Islands.

Arlene’s daughter Karen and son Steven meant the world to her; many happy memories were made at family gatherings, especially at the Mastrofrancesco home with Aunt Till and Uncle Dom, whom she was very close to.  She also enjoyed watching her brother Arthur race stock cars, and spending time at her sister and brother-in-law Bruno’s dairy farms in New York.

Her three grandchildren Kalene, Brandon and Blake were her pride and joy, as she was their biggest fan and made every opportunity to attend Kalene at dance competitions, horse shows, and volleyball games, as well as attending Brandon’s and Blake’s various sporting events, especially soccer games and American Ninja Warrior competitions.  Arlene’s beautiful smile and laughter could light up a room and everyone around her.  Her social personality, gift for gab, vibrance and vitality will be so greatly missed.

Left to mourn her passing and honor her life and love are her daughter Karen Beeman of Prospect and son Steven Feero and wife Nancy (Shostak) of Cheshire and grandchildren Kalene Beeman of Prospect and Brandon and Blake Feero of Cheshire, Connecticut.  Arlene also leaves her cousin Gloria Shelley who was more like a sister to her, niece and nephew Brea and Marc Walden, and several cousins.

Arlene was predeceased by her parents, her Aunt Olga Cole who raised her, her brother Arthur Walden and her sister Nancy Keparutis, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral Saturday, November 27, 2021 10:15 AM from Prospect Memorial Funeral Home to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 503 Chase Parkway, Waterbury for 11:00 AM service.  Interment to be determined at a future date.  Calling hours are Friday, November 26, 2021 from 4 to 6 PM at Prospect Memorial/ the Palmerie Family Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Rd. Prospect.  Prospect Memorial is honored to be assisting Arlene’s family with her arrangements.  You are invited to share a memory, photo or words of comfort for Arlene’s family on the funeral home website at www.prospectmemorial.com.  In lieu of flowers, if you so choose, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

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