Arlene Cherry Philipson

Arlene Cherry Philipson, 77, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025. She was the devoted widow of the late Alan Philipson, with whom she shared a remarkable partnership in life, love, and resiliency. Together, they traveled widely—across Asia for Alan’s business and around the globe for pleasure—and Arlene embraced every journey with excitement, curiosity, and unmistakable poise.

Arlene was the devoted mother of Andy and Eric, whose memories she protected fiercely and spoke of with unwavering pride. Arlene endured the loss of her father while she was still a child, and then her mother just a few short years later. This was followed by the unimaginable losses of both her sons while they were still young adults. Arlene carried her grief with extraordinary resilience, meeting life with determination, grace, and even humor. Her strength in the face of heartache became one of her defining qualities, admired by all who knew her.

Her greatest joy in later years came from being “Nana” to her grandson Edmund, whose accomplishments she followed with boundless pride. She also shared a deeply meaningful and supportive relationship with her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Crawford, who remained by her side as both family and friend. Their bond was marked by loyalty, laughter, and profound respect.

A native of California, Arlene followed Alan to New Orleans as a young woman and instantly became a devotee to the city's food, culture, and history. While she quickly became a New Orleans local, Arlene loved to engage in cultures and history around the country and globe. She was an avid reader of daily newspapers and was always eager to engage in conversation around important national and international topics.

Arlene was a woman deeply committed to service. She gave generously of her time as a longtime volunteer with WYES, championing public broadcasting, and spent countless hours volunteering at Isidore Newman School during Andy and Eric's childhood.

Known for her sharp wit, candor, and commanding presence in spite her modest height, she earned the nickname “The General”—a title she embraced with equal parts pride and humor. She led not only with authority, but with heart.

Arlene spent a lifetime pouring much of herself into her friendships, and in difficult times, those friends lined up to be at her side, including throwing a 75th birthday party for her at Lambeth House and making sure she never felt forgotten. Arlene truly cherished those close friends.

Arlene’s legacy is one of strength, loyalty, perseverance, and love—to her family, her friends, and to the world she explored with such spirit.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Esther Cherry, her loving husband of 53 years, Alan Philipson, as well as her sons, André Philipson and Eric Philipson. She is survived by her grandson, Edmund Philipson, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Crawford (Keith). She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lyle and Carole Philipson, her four loving nephews, Randolph Philipson (Darnell), Bradley Philipson (Killian), Stephen Philipson (Laura), and Jon Philipson (Lesley), and seven great-nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private celebration of life in December. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of St. Anna’s at Lambeth House for their incredible care and warmth they shared with Arlene over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lambeth House Foundation, Isidore Newman School, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.