Surrounded by the love of her family, Arlene Ruth (Theisen) Walsh, 80, entered eternal rest on August 21, 2022 at her home in Monroe.
Arlene was born on February 20, 1942 in Monroe, Michigan to Camillus and Alvina (Cousino) Theisen. She was the sixth of seven children. On October 6, 1962, she married Peter E. Walsh at St. Charles Church in Newport. The couple were wed for nearly 60 years, raising four children.
Arlene was the beloved mother of Jerry (Tracey), Jon (Keri), Julie (Jeff Destrampe), and Jean (Carl Foster). Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her greatest joys. She was God's blessing and guiding light for the Walsh family.
Arlene attended St. Charles grade school in Newport and was a proud 1960 graduate of St. Mary Academy in Monroe. Her position as class treasurer was the first of many leadership positions she would hold in her life.
Shortly after high school, Arlene began her work life as a teller at Newport State Bank. She left that job in 1963 to raise a family. In 1974, she returned to the banking industry as a teller with Peoples Federal Savings and Loan in their Sixth Street branch in Monroe. That business would become her cherished lifelong occupation. As the bank changed names to Peoples Savings, Standard Federal, and ABN-Amro, Arlene steadily rose through the ranks and served as a loan officer, branch manager, and eventual bank vice president. Her no-nonsense, honest approach with clients and dogged determination to complete the task at hand became Arlene's Hallmarks, and she was beloved and respected by colleagues and clients, many of whom would become lifelong friends. Her boss was known to say, "if it came from Arlene's desk, just approve it," since her work routinely set the standard. Arlene retired on March 31, 2008, after a distinguished 34-year career.
A long-time member of St. John the Baptist Church in Monroe, Arlene was a devout catholic with unshakeable faith in God. For the last several years you could find her at St. John's in Monroe, attending daily morning mass in her pew on the left side of the church near the front.
She took great pride in her role as a lay minister of the eucharist and loved giving communion to her family and friends. Arlene served on the St. John's school board and was the funeral luncheon chairwoman at the church. Our saint Arlene was truly one of god's most favored.
For most of her adult life, Arlene volunteered her time in Monroe. She served on the Mercy Memorial Hospital board for 38 years, including some years as president. She was also president of the Monroe Jayettes while Pete was in the Jaycees. She was involved in various committees at St. Mary Academy, Monroe Catholic Central, and Saint Mary Catholic Central. Arlene was a staunch advocate for Catholic education and to this day has grandchildren attending these schools in Monroe.
Arlene loved family gatherings, of which there were many. She never missed a birthday, and personally kept Hallmark in business buying cards for every occasion. She was constantly in the stands for family sporting events, and her immense faith extended to her love of Detroit sports. Surely this year the Lions and Tigers would deliver world championships. For Arlene, this was every year.
Arlene is survived by her beloved husband, Peter, her four children, 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, her sister Sharon (Frank) DeSloover, and sister-in-law Pat (Haener) Theisen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ken, Laverne, Ed and Russ, and sister Dolores.
Our hearts are broken at her loss, but we are forever blessed to have known our Matriarch, this Great Lady of Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arlene's memory to St. Mary Catholic Central or St. John the Baptist Church in Monroe.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 28 at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Road, Monroe from 2 pm to 6 pm, with recitation of the Rosary at 5 p.m. She will lie instate at 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church on Monday, August 29, with Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .