Arlene Diane (Cheesman) Jensen

Arlene Diane Cheesman Jensen, 88, of Everett, Washington, entered faithfully into the presence of her Lord on November 19, 2025. A devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend, Arlene will be remembered by all for her warmth, gentle humor, steadfast faith, and the deep love she poured into every facet of her life.

Born on May 27, 1937, in Glendale, California, to Harold and Margaret McNeill, Arlene grew up there and graduated from Herbert Hoover High School. Here, she proudly served as drum majorette and band leader during her senior year. Music was woven into her life from an early age. She performed Highland dance and played the snare drum alongside her mother in the Highland Society Scottish Bagpipe Band. In 1954, they performed and recorded the soundtrack for the musical Brigadoon.

Following high school, Arlene moved to the Bay Area, where she met and married her first husband, Richard Cheesman, in 1960. They relocated from Belmont, California, to Washington State in 1970 with their two children, settling in the Snohomish and Lake Stevens areas. There, Arlene embraced her love of nature and the Pacific Northwest, spending many weekends camping throughout Western Washington, including family gatherings at Washington Park in Anacortes. She and Dick also developed a love for power boating, creating cherished family memories in the San Juan Islands and Hood Canal, often in connection with the Everett Yacht Club.

Arlene’s lifelong love of music and dance continued throughout her marriage. She played the autoharp and sang folk and bluegrass music with Dick, sang in several church choirs, and shared many joyful musical evenings with family and friends. She generously used her gifts to serve others, leading children’s church, vacation Bible school, and children’s choirs. Dance remained a passion as well — from Highland dancing in her youth, to ballroom dancing with Dick, and later to Messianic worship dance when she joined the dance group at Beit Tikvah Messianic Congregation.

She wholeheartedly embraced her children’s lives, often volunteering — or being volunteered — as a room mother, field trip chaperone, scout leader, soccer coach, and faithful chauffeur. Her care was also expressed through the many nutritious and delicious meals she lovingly prepared from scratch, firmly believing that “food should taste good.” Among family favorites was her legendary sourdough bread, affectionately known as “Nana Bread,” a tradition — and starter — that will continue for generations.

Arlene’s professional life included a variety of clerical positions, followed by the opening of a custom drapery and window-covering business with her father, Harold. After his passing, she continued the business part-time on her own. In 1980, she began a new career with Snohomish County PUD, where she advanced from clerical work to meter reading and ultimately to customer service. She worked at numerous locations throughout the district, forming lasting friendships wherever she served, and retired in 2000.

Arlene and Dick were married until his passing in 1991. In the years that followed, Arlene began traveling internationally, including her first journey to Israel. She also traveled to Scotland and the Shetland Islands with her cousin, Bill Lamb, to visit the homeland of their grandfather. Arlene was deeply proud of her Scottish heritage!

During this time, Arlene’s love for Israel and the Jewish people deepened. She began worshiping at the Beit Tikvah Messianic Congregation in Newcastle, and they became like family. Drawn by the deep connections between Israel and Christianity, she traveled there many times with groups from her congregation. Israel held a special place in her heart, and she cherished visiting the land “where He walked.”

In the late 1990s, Arlene reconnected with a former PUD co-worker, Bernie Jensen. They were married in 2003 at Beit Tikvah and made their home in the Lake Stevens and Everett area. Together, Arlene and Bernie led worship services for seniors at a local nursing home, with Arlene singing and accompanying Bernie on the autoharp. They also shared a love of travel and simple joys, including trips to Israel, watching eagles along the Stillaguamish River, ferry rides from Mukilteo, and long walks through Washington Park in Anacortes.

Arlene’s final years were spent at Washington Oakes in Everett, where her kindness, humor, and gentle spirit touched many lives. She faced her illness with faith and determination, and will be deeply missed by caregivers, friends, and all who knew her.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Oscar Bernarth “Bernie” Jensen; daughter, Mary Cheesman Selstead (Gregory); son, Richard Edward Cheesman (Debbie); grandchildren, Kyle Gregory Selstead, Kelsey Marie Selstead, Ashley Renat Hanks (Ryan), and Alisson Diane Cheesman; great-grandchildren, Harper Estella Hanks and Madison Renat Hanks; sisters, Sherrill Lee Chase Starniri, Laura McNeill Edwards, and sister-in-law, Laura Jean McNeill; brother, Clark William Chase; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Arthur McNeill, Margaret McNeill Chase, and Merrill Clark Chase; her husband, Richard Efrain Cheesman; and her brother, David Laird McNeill.

May the memory of Arlene bring comfort to all who knew and loved her. The fondest wish of her heart is that all would come to know her savior, Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at Beit Tikvah Messianic Congregation, 7935 136th Ave SE, Newcastle, Washington. Arlene’s favorite Hebrew phrase, “L’chaim” — “To Life,” will be joyfully celebrated that day.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arlene’s memory to Be’ad Chaim — Israel Pro-Life, Gardens of Life , https://www.beadchaim.com/. Each donation will result in a tree planted in her honor, supporting mothers, babies, and the cause that reflected Arlene’s enduring passion for life.

L’chaim!