Arlene (Pildis) Stiglitz

Arlene Pildis Stiglitz, 84, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday evening after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Arlene is survived by her husband Irvin, her brother Dr. Martin Pildis and his wife Rabbi Ellen Pildis, her daughter Kym Cohen and husband Peter Cohen, grandchildren Zoe, Spencer and his wife Megan, son Dean Stiglitz and his partner Christina Everberg and step-granddaughter Aurora.

Arlene was raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts by Louis (a grocer) and Esta Pildis along with a mishpocha of grandparents, aunts and uncles. Her fighting spirit was apparent from a young age when she, in the 1940s, took it upon her 12 year old self to interview local rabbis in order to find one that would allow her to be the first Bat Mitzvah in New Bedford.

In high school Arlene was president of the Southeastern Mass. and Rhode Island Senior Young Judea and the editor-in-chief of her school newspaper and with these skills she was the first in her family to go to college. At Simmons College she received a Bachelors in Public Relations and an Associate’s degree in teaching. Her whole life she used her skills of organization, writing, editing, and perfectionism to help everyone she knew to write a resume, birth announcement or Bat Mitzvah invitation.

After working in corporate PR at Filene’s during the 'Mad Men' era she took time off from the working world to raise her two children. She then returned as Public Relations Director of the Boston YWCA and eventually to teaching at local colleges. Arlene also started and successfully ran one of the earliest home office desktop publishing businesses in the area. It was her great pleasure and pride to be entrusted with the Temple Isaiah Newsletter for many years as well as serving on the temple board and as sisterhood president.

She took great pride in raising her children, Kym and Dean, and her marriage to the love of her life Irvin. They remained deeply devoted to each other continuing to help each other with opposite skill sets. She always prioritized her children and husband all the while volunteering, playing tennis, and running Arlene Stiglitz Communications. At the occasion of her 60th birthday party her Turning Mill, Temple Isaiah of Lexington and tennis friends described her as caring, warm, witty, organized, sassy, loving and fun.

However, all of her jobs and commitments took a backseat when she became a Bubbe. She attended every recital and little league game (where many other children also called her Bubbe).

In her later years, in spite of an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, she spent half of her time in Longboat Key, FL where she loved water aerobics, her friendships, and hanging with her friends at the Dry Dock restaurant.

Arlene and Irvin spent their final years together at Newbridge by the Charles surrounded by their collection of mid-century art and furniture, her father’s sleigh bells, and great grandmother’s brass candlesticks. Her last project was intensely working to write a family legacy book so that her many fascinating personal and family stories and Matzah Ball soup recipe could be cherished by her family forever.

Services will be held at Temple Isaiah 55 Lincoln Street, Lexington at 11:30 AM, with burial following in Westview Cemetery 522 Bedford Street, Lexington

Masks will be required at the Temple

Shiva will be held at the Cohen residence 28 Indian Rock Road, Wayland, MA on Saturday Feb 5, from 6PM to 8PM, continuing Sunday Feb 6, from 2PM to 8PM

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Jewish Family & Children’s Service,

c/o Parkinson’s Family Support, 1430 Main Street, Waltham MA 02451, jfcsboston.org, please note in memory of Arlene Stiglitz.