Arliene was born on April 21, 1943 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England to Walter and May Robinson. She was the oldest of three, preceding Hilary and Phillip. As a youngster, Arliene enjoyed sports. She participated in field hockey, netball, cycling, swimming and diving. She particularly excelled at swimming and diving where she was approached to begin training for the Olympics at a young age.
Arliene attended Thornton Grammar school until the age of 16 when she graduated. After graduation, she started working at Brown Muff’s the nicest department store around. A couple years later Arliene went to work for GPO as a telephone operator. In 1963, Arliene met Otto Sayles, a young American stationed at Menwith Hill near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. After a short two months together, Otto’s time in England ended and he returned to the United States at which point the two pursued a long-distance relationship.
One week after her 21st birthday, in 1964, Arliene moved to Baltimore, Maryland to work as a nanny for author Cynthia Rosenwald. Otto and Arliene corresponded for two years before they were reunited in June of 1965 when Arliene moved to Kansas City, Missouri. The two married later that year in September.
In 1968, Scott, Arliene and Otto’s first-child was born, followed by Kimberley in 1970 and Kirsten in 1974.
Arliene worked at Spencer, Fane, Britt & Browne, a law firm in Kansas City until Kim was born. She then chose to stay at home and raise her children. Arliene later worked part-time for Helzberg Jewelers until she started with IFTC & DST where she worked for 17 years starting in a minimum wage position and working her way up into a management training position.
In 1985, Arliene started attending the Grandview Hickman Mills Elks Lodge when her husband, Otto, became a member. She became an active D.E.A.R. serving in the organization, and in 2002 became first lady of the state of Missouri Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks when Otto was elected as President of the state of Missouri BPOE. Arliene made many lifelong friendships around the state of Missouri and the country through her participation in the Elks.
Arliene spent her years after retiring from DST, traveling with Otto around the country, enjoying her time with friends she made through the Elks Lodge, and spending time with her grandchildren. Time with her grandchildren and family was always her favorite thing though.
Arliene was preceded in death by her mother, May, father, Walter, and brother, Philip Robinson, as well as her father-in-law, Otto A. Sayles, mother-in-law Marie Sayles, brother-in-law Frank Dean, brother-in-law Donald (Skip) Sayles, and sister-in-law Joyce Sayles. She is survived by her husband of 54 years Otto, her three children, Scott and wife Jeanna Sayles of Belton, Kim and husband Tom Spencer of Harrisonville, and Kirsten and husband Andrew Braun of Kansas City, three grandchildren, Taylor, Dylan, and Ben, her sister Hilary Dean of Bradford, England, brother and sister-in-law Ed and Jean Sayles of Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews in both the United States and Great Britain. Arliene will be greatly missed by both family and friends.
A celebration of life for Arliene May Sayles will be held at a later date at the Grandview Hickman Mills Elks Lodge. Details of the event will be posted on the Missouri Elks website, www.moelks.com.
Please join us in celebrating the life and shared memories of Arliene May Sayles.
