Arlene Patricia Dovel

If you ever met Arlene — also known as Leenie, Leenie Linguine, or Bird—you remembered her, and chances are, she remembered you too, probably with a birthday card. Her holiday spirit was unmatched, she made Christmas feel magical, every birthday a special celebration, and every meal a memory — her spaghetti, tuna fish sandwiches, and potato salad were family staples.

Arlene was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 19, 1941, to Richard and Virginia Callahan and grew up there with her sister Betty and always carried her love for her “Newport Girls.” (The Newport Girls, A Memoir by Elaine Colton)

She is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Will Dovel. She was the proud Mom of Jen and Amy, and Stepmom to Mitzie and Tammy. She was Nana to seven grandkids and became a Great-Nana in 2024. She also adored her fur babies, Meme and Miki.

She graduated from Rogers High School and Katharine Gibbs School before working at Raytheon, then running a ceramic shop, and finishing her career in Washington, D.C. at a consulting firm.

In 1985, she met Will Dovel through their daughters and married three months later, setting sail (literally) on a lifetime of adventures. They lived on a sailboat for eight years, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and even voyaging from Maryland to Newport, before settling in Bayside Harbor, MD, to be close to family.

Arlene loved crafts, canasta, sewing, painting, and dressing up for any occasion. She was known for her bright clothes, holiday-themed outfits, big jewelry, and love of the beach. She was active in her Southport community, her “small little town in paradise”. Her Southport neighbors knew her as a beach-loving, Bunco-playing ray of sunshine. She was even featured as an extra on the Bunco Babes float in the movie, Safe Haven.

Arlene lived with heart, humor, and a lot of creativity. She brought joy wherever she went and left behind memories that will always make us smile.

A celebration of her life will be held soon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick County, Bolivia, NC.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.