Arlene M. Laidig

Arlene Marguerite Laidig, born to Frederick and Greta Rauch of Nutley, NJ on August 16, 1937 went Home to Jesus on July 5, 2018 after a 7 month battle with end stage renal failure, gastroparesis, an autoimmune disorder of ANCA vasculitis and Parkinson's disease. Arlene earned her nursing degree from Presbyterian School of Nursing in 1958, then continued further nurse's training for 2 years at Columbia University. She worked at Presbyterian Hospital in Newark, NJ with the cardiac surgical team and attended Rutgers University as part of the nursing curriculum.

Her family attended Passaic Plymouth Brethren Chapel, where as a young girl, she came to know Jesus as her Savior. It was at this church that she met the Laidig family. A beautiful and loving friendship developed with Manfred Laidig over the years, and they were married on March 25, 1961. Mom left her nursing career in 1962 when they started their family. Together, they raised their 3 girls in Whippany, NJ for 40 years until moving to Rockaway, NJ. In 1972 they purchased property in Speculator, NY, which included summer rental cabins, and so for many summers she and her daughters handled the big job of weekly changeovers until they found wonderful families who rented for the entire summer season. For many years, she also served as an EMT on the Cedar Knolls First Aid Squad.

Arlene worked tirelessly beside Manfred when he lost his job at Singer in 1989 and began his own company, BTECH Inc. She helped with winding wires, learned new skills on the computer, and served as the CFO. She returned to work full time shortly after Manfred's death until her own failing health prevented her from continuing.

Together, Arlene and Manfred had a passion for serving in missions efforts. They held weekly Bible studies with neighbors in Whippany, served at the Adirondack Bible Chapel, the Ministry Center, the Poland Church, volunteered in serving at Tryon Prison as well as the Adventure Learning Center in Nassau, Bahamas. She was a long time member at Jacksonville Chapel in Lincoln Park, NJ and the Adirondack Bible Chapel in Piseco, NY. Arlene was a wonderful cook and enjoyed opening their home to many guests. She loved the outdoors, and loved her flower and vegetable gardens. Her adventurous spirit and athletic abilities afforded them many wonderful experiences snow skiing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, motor boating, sailing, bicycling, hiking and even at 79, she was the oldest female slalom skier on Lake Pleasant.

Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Manfred, in May, 2017, after 56 years of marriage. She is survived by three daughters, Karen Leonard, Cynthia Hurley and Beverly Hawkswell, 5 grandchildren, Alyssa, Kristin and David Hurley, and Timothy and Daniel Hawkswell, and her oldest sister, Jean Speck.

Visitation will be held Monday, July, 9th, 2018 from 2-4, 7-9pm at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St, Sparta, NJ 07871. A memorial service will be held at Sparta Evangelical Free Church at 6pm Tuesday. Interment will be held at Airdville Cemetery, Lake Pleasant, NY on Thursday July 12 at 12noon.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Adirondack Bible Chapel Ministry Center, 2258 NY-8, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108.