Arlene M. Prior, 90, a longtime resident of Bremen, died peacefully on Feb. 24 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, with her loving daughter and grandchildren by her side.
Arlene was born in Waldoboro May 17, 1919, the daughter of Cleveland and Phena Genthner Gross, and attended schools in Waldoboro.
In 1935 she married John Luce, and together they had three children, John Luce Jr., Russell Luce and Donna Luce.
After her divorce, she married Clarence Prior of Bremen, where she lived happily for 45 years. She loved her cottage by the ocean and was a happy and contented homemaker there.
Arlene worked in various places, most notably Paragon Button Factory, Dennison’s Nursing Home, Brown’s Lusty Lobster, and the former Roseway Restaurant on Main St. in Waldoboro, owned by her aunt Ethel Feyler. She was a member of the Bremen Union Church, where she attended faithfully, when she was well and her faith in Jesus Christ meant so much to her.
In 2005 she left her beloved home, due to her failing health, for Hodgdon Green in Damariscotta, where she received excellent care. During the last four months she resided at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, where her care was beyond her families’ expectations. While at Cove’s Edge, she rarely got out of bed except for Chapel Day, which she loved to attend.
Arlene is predeceased by her husband, Clarence Prior in 1999; sons, John Luce Jr. in infancy, and Russell Luce in 1980; sisters, Gladys Horton, Gwendolyn Hanna and Marjorie Dickinson; and brother, Kenneth Gross.
Survivors include a daughter, Donna Collamore of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Keith Collamore of Waldoboro, Leigh Andrea Collamore of Nobleboro, Kathryn Collamore of Orff’s Corner, Russell Luce II of Waldoboro, Texx Luce of Jeffersonville, Vt., John Luce of Rumford, Duane Luce of Lewiston, Russell Luce III of Hardwick, Vt., Rhonda Kelce,of West Paris, and Juanita Forant of Morrisville, Vt.; 25 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to call 2-4 p.m., Sun., Feb. 28 at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of Arlene’s life 11 a.m., Mon., March 1 at the Broad Bay Congregational Church, 974 Main St., Waldoboro, followed by interment in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bremen.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Bremen Union Church Building Fund, Bremen Union Church, P.O. Box 223, Bremen, ME 04551.
Condolences to the family may be sent to hallfh@myfairpoint.net.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
