Arlene Rockelman Oakley
May 21, 1913 –
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<p>Arlene Rockelman Oakley, 96, of Sun City Center passed away Wednesday, February 24, in Ocean City, New Jersey.</p>
<p>Arlene was born to Amil and Ida Rockelman on May 21, 1913, in Lakeview, Michigan. She married Harry M. Oakley in 1934. The couple moved to Charlevoix, Michigan, where their first daughter, Marisue, was born in 1937. Their younger daughter, Linda, was born in 1941 in Bloomington, Indiana.</p>
<p>In 1950 after moving back to Michigan, Arlene received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and her master’s degree from Wayne State University. She taught in Redford Union, a suburb of Detroit, and then was the principal of Westland School in Redford Union until her retirement in 1973. She founded an alumnae sorority, Kappa Kappa Alpha, at Western Michigan. She was the organization’s first president. Arlene was on the Detroit lecture circuit; she inspired other women to pursue their educations and gain independence through a career. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women.</p>
<p>Arlene and Harry retired to Sun City Center in 1977. For many years, Arlene was active in Armchair Travelers and two bridge groups . She served on the boards of Mary and Martha House in Ruskin and the Community Foundation of Sun City Center. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women. She traveled to more than 70 countries on all seven continents, visiting many several times. Arlene loved the theater, was an avid reader, took great joy in her needlework, and supported numerous charitable organizations.</p>
<p>Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Harry and her daughter, Linda Brenn. She is survived by her daughter Marisue Besse, five grandchildren, Jennifer Heist, Jeff Avagian, Rob Jillson, Susan Boulden, Carolyn Jillson; and eleven great-grandchildren.</p>
<p>Contributions in her memory may be made to Mary and Martha House, P.O. Box 1251, Ruskin, FL 33575-1251.</p>
<p>To email condolences, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.</p>
<p>Arlene Rockelman Oakley, 96, of Sun City Center passed away Wednesday, February 24, in Ocean City, New Jersey.</p>
<p>Arlene was born to Amil and Ida Rockelman on May 21, 1913, in Lakeview, Michigan. She married Harry M. Oakley in 1934. The couple moved to Charlevoix, Michigan, where their first daughter, Marisue, was born in 1937. Their younger daughter, Linda, was born in 1941 in Bloomington, Indiana.</p>
<p>In 1950 after moving back to Michigan, Arlene received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and her master’s degree from Wayne State University. She taught in Redford Union, a suburb of Detroit, and then was the principal of Westland School in Redford Union until her retirement in 1973. She founded an alumnae sorority, Kappa Kappa Alpha, at Western Michigan. She was the organization’s first president. Arlene was on the Detroit lecture circuit; she inspired other women to pursue their educations and gain independence through a career. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women.</p>
<p>Arlene and Harry retired to Sun City Center in 1977. For many years, Arlene was active in Armchair Travelers and two bridge groups . She served on the boards of Mary and Martha House in Ruskin and the Community Foundation of Sun City Center. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women. She traveled to more than 70 countries on all seven continents, visiting many several times. Arlene loved the theater, was an avid reader, took great joy in her needlework, and supported numerous charitable organizations.</p>
<p>Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Harry and her daughter, Linda Brenn. She is survived by her daughter Marisue Besse, five grandchildren, Jennifer Heist, Jeff Avagian, Rob Jillson, Susan Boulden, Carolyn Jillson; and eleven great-grandchildren.</p>
<p>Contributions in her memory may be made to Mary and Martha House, P.O. Box 1251, Ruskin, FL 33575-1251.</p>
<p>To email condolences, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.</p>