Arlene Gay
August 29, 1922 ~ August 12, 2016
Mildred Arlene Gay, 93, was welcomed home by the Lord on August 12, 2016. Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, by Reverend Robert Cook. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Private family burial: Masonic Cemetery, Des Moines.
Arlene was born on August 29, 1922, to David and Florence Bosley in Des Moines. She was later joined by two sisters, Lila and Nadene. Arlene graduated from North High School in 1940, where she participated on the tennis and jump rope teams. On April 8, 1945, Arlene married James A. Gay and together they had two children: daughter Midge and son Jim.
Arlene was a proud two-time breast cancer survivor and when still residing in West Des Moines, she volunteered at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Arlene loved to sew and created beautiful clothes for many years for her family. Arlene loved a good romance novel, a nice glass of Riunite and time with her sisters and family. She loved being a grandma, a great-grandma and a great-great-grandma.
Arlene worked as a claims processor for Guide One, retiring in 1987. She was a lifetime member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and Auburn Eastern Star.
Survivors include her daughter, Midge Rollins; son, Jim (Linda Robinson-Gay) Gay; sister, Lila Mae Cherry; brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Holland; three grandchildren, Paul (Shelly) Rollins, Kaye (Matt) Siders, and Don (Dani) Robinson-Gay; nine great grandchildren, Maria (Craig) Schroeder, Tony (Alana) Rollins, Benjamin (Samantha) Rollins, Abby Rollins, Max Siders, Brady Siders, Olivia Robinson-Gay, Lauren Robinson-Gay, and Matthew Robinson-Gay; two great great grandchildren, Greyson and Emma Schroeder; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; sister, Nadene Holland; brother-in-law, Darryel Cherry; and son-in-law, Jim Rollins.
Memorials are suggested to Hallmark Care Center, 215 Highway 30 West, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314.
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Wow , what a life tribute to be able to live long enough to see and spend time with great grandchildren.
She leaves behind a loving family with lots of happy memories.
Thanks Sharon.
I worked with Arlene at Preferred Risk for many years and have a lot of good memories of shared times. Family was first for her. Marla Evison
Marla, thank you for the memory of mom. She loved her Preferred Risk friends.
I volunteered with Arlene at the American Cancer Discovery Store for about 5 or 6 years.. She was a very delightful lady. We had a lot of fun in the back room visiting and getting the clothes ready to go out on the floor. We always had a brief tea time also. Gloria Anderson.