Arline Harmon Parker

Arline Harmon Parker, 93, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. She was born October 14, 1930, in North Conway, New Hampshire and was the daughter of William Allen Harmon and Dorothy (Moore) Harmon of Madison, New Hampshire.

Arline was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Dale Parker (2013), brother William (Constance) Harmon, grandson, Daniel Parker, brothers-in-law Stanley (Mildred), Curtis (Mae), Clifford (Lois), Robert (Barbara) and 3 sisters-in-law, Beryl (Charlie) Smith, Betty (Jim) Richard, Mary Anne (Norman) Harvey.

She is survived by 4 children: Dwayne (Pam), Neil (Tracie), Kevin (Laura) Parker, and Sherry (Dave) Mathieu; 19 grandchildren: Josh (Natalie), Lindsey, Kendra, Ben (Emily), Joseph (Jean Marie), John (Michelle), Matthew (Savvy), Caleb, Luke (Sara), Ethan (Lindsey Rose), Noah (Sarah), Paityn, Emmett, and Emma Parker, Rachel (Brian) Rich, Jessica (Nate) Brunner, Bethany (Caleb) Batdorff, Jacob (Megan) Mathieu, Stacey (Kyle) Gaule; 24 great-grandchildren: Abigail, Willow, Meadow, Parker, Abel, Delaney, Ethan, Adalia, Jack, David, Jason, Kensington, Lynley, Magnolia, Elizabeth, Hadassah, Daniel, Anna Grace, Evelyn, Margot, Barrett, Burke, Marshall, and Emerson; 1 great-great-grandchild: Forrest, and her brother-in-law Clare (Beverly) Parker, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arline graduated from Madison High School in 1948, attended Keene Teachers College in New Hampshire before continuing her education graduating from Bryant College in Rhode Island in 1953. She married her high school sweetheart in 1952. She continued her education during Dale's stint in the army before moving to Battle Creek, Michigan then Chicago, Illinois before settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1955.

She was a strong woman, stricken with polio as a young adult and then years later acquiring major injuries from an auto accident. Despite these adversities she never complained, she relied on prayer and her unwavering faith, undaunted in spirit. To know her was to love her. She was always wise beyond her years, a wealth of information, full of common sense, free for advice, for comfort, for love and for prayer.

She will be remembered for her selfless love of family and friends. Arline grew up in New Hampshire and her heart was forever rooted there. She'd often reminisce of her proud upbringing in the White Mountains and climbing her favorite Mt. Chocorua. She enjoyed Genealogy and the sharing and exchanging of information of early northeastern settlers of her namesake. She was a lifetime member of the Madison Historical Society.

She was well spoken, had a large vocabulary, and always a hint of her eastern accent. She was a master at scrabble. She made amazing quilts for as many of the grandchildren as possible until she could no longer thread the needle. Each of these beautiful heirlooms were made with her love and passing them down by generation will be a testament to that love.

After retiring from Hartford Insurance in 1991, she wintered in Arizona for a number of years but missed the snow. She enjoyed each and every member of the four generations of the large family that began with her. She was a role model like no other, passing on her values for our generation and generations to follow. She will always be missed, always loved and never forgotten. Her legend lives on. As the birds sang outside her window, our Lord and Savior took her home to begin her Heavenly life.

A memorial service for Arline will be held on Thursday November 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel. The family will receive friends starting at 4:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Arline may be made to The Madison Historical Society, 19 E Madison Rd, Madison, N.H. 03849