Arline Mazonson

Arline Mazonson died on July 29th at the age of 97, after living with dementia for more than 20 years. She was born in New York in 1917. Her sister died of scarlet fever when she was about seven years old. Later, her brother Alan was born when Arline was 13. Arline’s father had lost his law practice in the depression so her mother went back to get a teaching certificate and became a fourth grade teacher in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. Arline helped to raise her little brother Alan. Arline was in accelerated programs in New York public schools where she kept finishing three semesters of work in two, so she graduated from high school at age 15. She got into Barnard but went to Hunter College instead because of the family's financial difficulties during the depression. She graduated from college when she was 19. Arline was smart as a whip, confident, optimistic, and able to bend the world to her will. She met and married her husband Joe Mazonson, and they went on to have a loving and supportive marriage until Joe died following a stroke at age 74.

During most of those years, Arline taught math, first at Memorial Junior High School in Beverly and later at Swampscott High School. She was a multitasker long before it was common or fashionable. As a working mom, she raised three kids while getting involved in other activities, like leading the local Girl Scout troop. Her students and colleagues loved her. Arline ran the honor society and math club for many years and thoroughly enjoyed teaching. In addition to her sharp left brain and head for numbers, Arline was an excellent writer and poet who always had a funny poem ready for the occasion at hand, whether it was a Bat Mitzvah, a birthday, an anniversary, or a wedding.

Arline was a hard worker. She enjoyed gardening and her rock gardens were beautiful. She loved to travel and plan family adventures. In later years, she and Joe travelled all over with the National Education Association. She took pride in her home in Marblehead and later in her condos in Lynn, Salem and Florida. She grabbed for the gusto in everything she did. For example, when she and Joe bought a condo in Florida, she walked daily, got involved in line dancing, took courses at the local university, cooked up a storm, and planned carefully for the next visit by her children and grandchildren.

Arline was very proud of her kids and their accomplishments. She reveled in spending time with her five grandchildren.

Arline started to develop dementia not long after Joe's death. It was particularly tragic to see someone who had such a keen intellect decline so quickly. Yet, she was upbeat and courageous over the many years that her memory declined. Even when she couldn't remember her grandchildren's names or her own name, she still loved visits from them and immediately lit up when they talked to her, fed her ice cream, or held her hand.

Arline's family will miss her deeply but always remember her strong spirit, optimism and determination. May her memory be a blessing.

Services will be at Stanetsky Memorial Chapels, 1668 Beacon St. in Brookline on Friday, August 15 at 10 AM. Visiting and Shiva will take place at Nancy Mazonson’s home on Friday, August 15 until 9 pm, on Saturday, August 16 from 7 to 9 pm, and on Sunday, August 17 from 3 to 6 pm. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be donated to Help Fund c/o HSL Development, 1200 Centre St., Roslindale, MA 02131