Arlene was educated at the Park School of Baltimore and Simmons College (University) in Boston, where she earned a B.S. degree in Retailing. She met her husband, Arthur Cohen, while he was a law student at Boston University. They married on June 10, 1956. Arthur’s career took them to many cities, from Boston to New Bedford, Massachusetts; Grand Rapids, North Muskegon, Oak Park, and Huntington Woods, Michigan; Pikesville, Maryland; Danvers, Massachusetts; and finally, Henderson, Nevada.
Arlene devoted the early years of her marriage to her family. In the 1970s, as her children grew older, she founded two home businesses, the Fine Line stationery and invitation company and the Creative Concepts direct mail and telephone company. In 1983, she became manager of the Joslyn Sales wholesale gift showroom in Bedford, Massachusetts. After moving to Las Vegas in the late 1980s, Arlene worked in sales for Bertha’s Gifts and Home Furnishings. She later became assistant manager of the Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton outlet store.
Arlene’s many civic activities included serving as an executive board member for the Hunt Hospital Foundation in Danvers, president of Danvers Community Council, chair of the Danvers Harbor Task Force, chair of the Danvers Search Committee for School Superintendent, and active member of the Danvers League of Women Voters. After coming to Las Vegas, she became president of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNLV. Arlene was an active member of Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson.
Arlene is survived by her three sons, Mitchell Cohen (Debra), Jeffrey Cohen (Beverly), and Scott Cohen; her grandchildren, Joshua, Daniel, Robert, Helena "Lanie", Clint, and Franklin Cohen; and great grandchildren, Elias and Celine.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Cohen; companion John "Jack" Stankard; father Robert Levy; mother Lena Levy (nee Siegel); brother Alvin "Buddy" Levy; and sister Anita Abrams.
A memorial service for Arlene will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 1006 - King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89120. Following the memorial service will be a committal service from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at King David Cemetery, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kingdavidlv.com for the Cohen family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215; Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115; or the Jewish Family Service Agency of Las Vegas, 2309 Renaissance Dr., Ste. B, Las Vegas, NV 89119
.
