Arlene O’Leary of Warwick, NY passed away on December 21, 2020, at home, surrounded by her loving family.  She was 57 years old.

 

Born in Glen Cove, NY, on January 7, 1963, Arlene was the daughter of William and Grace (Sherwood) O’Leary.

 

After graduating from Oyster Bay High School, Arlene earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar and master’s in social work from Harvard.  For over thirty years Arlene worked as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities at Lifespire Foundation in New York.

 

A wise and generous friend to many, Arlene was devoted to her beloved daughters and to her entire family.  Arlene’s passions included gardening and the natural world, baking, the seashore of Maine, as well as the works of John Updike, Monty Python, and Joni Mitchell.

 

Arlene is survived by daughters Meredith Cottle and Caroline Cottle of Warwick; mother Grace of East Norwich, NY; brother William O’Leary and his wife Julie Kuehndorf of Laurel Hollow, NY;  brother Michael O’Leary of Mathias, West Virginia; several nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.

 

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow the service in Warwick Cemetery's cremation garden. 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lifespire.org. 

 

Arlene touched so many lives with her tremendous spirit and love for life.  She will remain forever in our hearts.

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