Arlene Mae East

Arlene Mae East was born in Lusk, Wyoming to John and Archie East. The family moved from the humid high plains of Wyoming and relocated to the greener pastures of McMinnville Oregon, where Arlene spent her formative years.

Arlene was an exceptional student, a rally squad member, and had a keen interest in theater arts, directing and acting in plays with the McMinnville High Thespian Club.

She graduated in 1958, earning a scholarship to Linfield College, the first in her family to attend college. After graduation, she taught high school english and drama in Jefferson, Oregon, and Aberdeen, Washington. Her career was filled with international adventure and long lasting friendships. She taught in the Azores Islands, located 870 miles west of mainland Portugal, for a year.

She continued teaching in Okinawa, Japan from 1969 to 1973. Arlene then spent nearly 20 years as an instructor in Nuremberg, Germany at the American Army High School, retiring in 1994. She was adored by all of her students and has kept in contact with many of them over the years.

Arlene was a lover of art and her home was filled with treasured memories from her time abroad. Arlene never stopped acting. She was involved in local community theater in Germany, and, in Portland, Oregon after relocating to the States in 1994. She appeared in commercials, was in an episode of Grimm, and has been involved in multiple productions of The Hullabaloo with JANE! A Theater Company. She had plans to join the cast this spring for Colonoscopy: The Musical.

Recently, she was active in a dance class for Parkinson’s patients. She did not have Parkinson’s, she just enjoyed movement and the inviting community.

In addition to acting, Arlene loved a good time. Whether travel, food, friends, good wine or a “gin tonic” she always had a smile and a laugh for everyone. She spent her last several years studying Energy Medicine, which she credits for her ability to live independently for 85+ years.

Arlene is survived by her nephews Doug Balk, Dave (Gaylene) Balk and Mitch (Penny) Staples and nieces Lisa (Greg) Paul and Michelle Lutes as well as her brother-in-law Marvin Staples.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Peggy (Bob) Balk and Linda

Staples.

She was adored by her great-nieces Madi Balk, Shannon (Kyle) Broderick, Leighton Paul (Travis Hammond) and her “greatness” Lenny Mae Paul.

Arlene was a bright light, full of adventure, curiosity and gratitude.

We will forever miss and cherish her shining spirit.