Arlene Hunter

Roger and Arlene moved their family to Phoenix, Arizona in Spring of 1959 where the children exited the plane wearing snowsuits in close to a hundred-degree temperatures! Both Roger and Arlene were involved with many of their chidrens’ activities, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Little League Baseball. Roger and Arlene were married 32 years until Roger passed away in 1985. After Roger’s passing, Arlene went back to school at Glendale Community College, taking classes in communication, in which she excelled. She then went on to become an activities professional with State and National Certificates, allowing her to be an Assistant Director of Activities as well as Director of Activities as several nursing homes.

Her desire to serve others led her to numerous volunteer positions including a clown ministry, the YWCA, the Alzheimer's Association, The Red Hatter Society, The Foundation for Senior Living, a member of a Kitchen band that performed around Glendale, an Adult Center volunteer, and a reading tutor for first graders. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year for both the Alzheimer’s Association and the YWCA. An active member of the First Methodist Church of Glendale, Arlene taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for a number of years as well as helping to organize a Bible study at Glencroft Senior Center, where she had moved to following her retirement. One of her favorite memories was when she volunteered as a leader for a Girl Scout troop that traveled across the desert in a covered wagon to Wickenburg and was able to join in their annual Wickenburg Days Parade.

In 2005, Arlene won an organ from a local music store, which allowed her to fulfill her lifelong dream of learning to play the organ. At age 75, Arlene began taking organ lessons and passed several levels, becoming quite proficient. If you approached her house during the day, you would often hear her practicing her skills on the organ. She was also an avid reader, and her home was filled with novels which she spent hours reading. Arlene would never forget to read her entire daily newspaper and she often had articles set aside to share with anyone who came to visit.

One of Arlene’s biggest passions was singing. She would break out in hymns or old songs at any given time for anyone to hear. She would often attend sing-alongs at Glencroft, the various Senior centers, the Church or the YWCA.

Arlene is survived her four children, Robin Polk (Wayne), Ken Hunter, Kathy Knott (Joe) and David Hunter (Andrea), twelve grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A visitation for Arlene will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 12:00 PM at West Resthaven Funeral Home (6450 W. Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301), followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Hunter family.