Arlene Leander Pennella

Arlene was born on May 20, 1939 in Hartford, CT and was the only child of Irwin and Elsie (Meyer) Maher. She attended and graduated from Hall Highschool in West Hartford, the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, MA (1960) and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC (1963). Before her retirement, Arlene was employed by Aetna Insurance Co. as an Employee Health Nurse.

Arlene married John T. Leander of Manchester, CT in May 1965 and had 2 children, Kristen (Leander) Morrison and Eric T. Leander. They were married 18 years before John passed away in 1983. Arlene married Daniel Pennella of Old Lyme, CT in September 1997 and the couple was married 19 years before Dan’s passing in 2017.

Arlene is survived by her children, Kristen and Eric, her stepdaughter Susan (Pennella) Steady and Susan’s husband, Brian; her grandchildren Emily Morrison, Abby Morrison, Joseph Steady and wife Amber Steady, Anthony Steady, Matthew Pennella and Dani Pennella, Tracey Steady Hardcastle and husband Asa, and Charles Steady; and her former sister-in-law Martha Leander. She was also blessed to have many dear friends who were like family to her.

In addition to her parents and husbands John and Daniel, Arlene is predeceased by her niece Karen (Rosenberger) Yahara, nephew Bryan Rosenberger, and stepson John Pennella.

Services and burial to be determined at a future date by the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brave of Heart Fund https://braveofheartfund.e4erelief.org/. Please stay safe and always wear a mask.