Arlene A. Marston

Arlene Ann (Peterson, House) Marston (also fondly known as Gwenie) passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022 at the age of 87 in the kind and loving care at Bedford Nursing and Rehab in Bedford, NH. She spent her final days surrounded by loving family. Born on December 5, 1934 the first child of Carl and Annabel (Hennessey) Peterson in Lowell, MA, she soon became a sister to 4 younger brothers and enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in Lowell. She graduated from Lowell High School and went on to South Carolina for college. Arlene married Philip Rowe House of Hudson, NH on September 24, 1955 where they then resided, moved to Poquonock Bridge, CT for Philip’s work and then back to Lowell with 3 young children, only to become a widow in June of 1960. Arlene built a fine home for her family in Litchfield, NH and remarried in 1963 to John B. Marston Jr. “Jack” of Hampton, NH. Stepchildren Lisa and Timmy were added to the family on alternate weekends and vacations. The family spent many happy summers at Hampton Beach helping with Grandma House’s guesthouse and cottages, and also at Nana Peterson’s cabin on Cobbetts Pond in Windham, NH. In 1967 Arlene and Jack made a big move to Phoenix, AZ following the Marston side of the family, where Jack started several businesses and soon moved the family to Tempe, AZ. His untimely death in 1973 in a tragic accident left Arlene a widow for the second time before the age of 40. Moving away from Tempe in 1996 she resided with family in New Boston and Hampton Beach, NH, then moved to Ellenton, FL and eventually to Sanford, FL where she lived for many years in close proximity to her youngest son Peter House. She returned to NH in September of 2020 (in the midst of Covid) and continued her final chapter at Bedford Nursing and Rehab in close proximity to her second daughter Lee Ann House Allen. Arlene wore many hats including that of a phlebotomy technician, bookkeeper, bartender, caterer, and store clerk. On the side she employed her incredible eye and talent for the purchase and resale of collectables. She was known for her bright and gregarious personality and became a welcoming beacon in every place of employment. She held an uncanny ability to remember details and dates and family trees and quickly made friends with strangers. She had an open door policy in all her homes and was kind and generous in hospitality with family and friends. Arlene’s dry sense of humor and sarcastic wit provided much entertainment. She is survived by 2 brothers: David Peterson and wife Constance of Olympia, WA, Bruce Peterson and wife Wendi of Portland, OR, 3 children: Robin House Adams and husband Patrick of Heber-Overgaard, AZ, Lee Ann House Allen and husband David of New Boston, NH, Peter House and wife Kim of Sanford, FL, 2 stepchildren: Lisa Cole of Hampton Beach, NH and Timothy Marston and wife Melissa of Wakefield, NH. Her surviving grandchildren are Anabelle Audet and husband Tim of Nottingham, NH, Meralee Allen and partner Jessica of Nottingham, NH, step grandson Jeremy Anderson and wife Kathy of Sanford, FL, great grandchild Freya Audet and 3 step great grandchildren Odin, Bodie and Annika Audet of Nottingham, NH. Her life will be honored in New Hampshire with a family and friend celebration to be announced in the near future.