I said goodbye on Tuesday to my “little big sister.” I’m the youngest in the family and Arleen was the middle child and considering I have an older sister, Maureen, I always described Arleen in this manner.

It was very touching to read the tributes and memories her friends have of my sister. Being her brother, I viewed her through another lens—Arleen was a force of nature. 

Everything she did, she did with passion, intent and energy. You didn’t ever want to get on her bad side… she had a temper and vocabulary that would make a sailor blush, but she loved intensely. If you were her friend she always had your back.

She loved her grandchildren, oh, how she loved them. I always found it amusing how she’d say, “ I love you Kenny Kenny.” Her daughter, Karrah, was her sunrise and sunset.

Was my sister perfect….no. Growing up we were combatants considering we were only 16 months apart. My big sister, Maureen, was often the referee. I bit and she scratched. As a child, Arleen had no qualms confronting adults. I remember one time when we waiting to tour the White House, and when an elderly woman cut into line, Arleen ran up to her and started screaming,” No buts, no buts!” The woman, seemingly in fear for dear life, quickly fled the scene.

Years later we worked together in my dental practice for nearly a decade, where she served as my receptionist and had an amazing rapport with many patients. 

Arleen had her demons, don’t we all. Oh, the stories I could tell, some would make you laugh, some would make you smile, and others would make you shake your head. 

Arleen was a little like our father in that she always kept her inner child alive, was tough as nails, and headstrong…sometimes negatively so . And she knew how to have a good time…Bloody Marys aside.

This day has come far too soon. As much as my sister hated hospitals and doctor visits, as do many in the family, I always believed she’d live well into her 90s like our Grandma Jane who she occasionally reminded me of over the years.

Rest in peace, my beautiful sister. I hope Mom and Dad are there to help you on your journey, and I’ll always love you.

My condolences and heartfelt sympathies to everyone my sister loved and cared about.