Arlene R. Eakley, passed away at her residence on November 28, 2022 at the age of 74. The Lord called her home, after a long, courageous battle with terminal illness.

Arlene was born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1948. She was the third of ten children born to Ariel & Marjorie Robertson, both of Nova Scotia, Canada. Her family grew up on Grant Avenue in Rutland. Arlene and her sister, Anne, had a big hand in the caring for and raising of the other siblings. Her brothers and sisters loved her immensely. They all say that Arlene helped them whenever they were in need, both as children and through adulthood.

She attended primary school at Christ the King and Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1966, she graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

As a teenager, she was employed by Pleasant Manor Nursing Home and the Country Squire Motel. She spent several years as a secretary for Rutland Town School, Business Words, Fran Keller Real Estate and Attorney Carl O. Anderson. Before retirement, she worked for GE Aviation and Sherwood Medical.

In 1979, she married David O’Neil of Rochester, Vermont, with whom she had her only child, Kaylee.

Arlene was loved by all who knew her and had many friends. Her dearest girlfriends were Marilyn Shaw, Patricia FitzGerald, Mary Berg, and Irene Lamothe, who were like sisters to her and aunts to Kaylee.

Arlene enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, sewing, singing and going for long rides without a destination.

She was very active in the Catholic church community, who will all remember her for her smile, warm hugs,and her famous cinnamon rolls that she would bring to Sunday receptions. Arlene held tightly to her faith, through the very end of her life.

Arlene was known as someone who would give someone in need her last dollar. It wasn’t uncommon for her to buy groceries or clothes, fill a gas tank, and give rides to those in need. She continually donated to the Vermont Food Bank, Saint Jude’s Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, Arbor Foundation, and Mouth & Foot Painting Artists. After her retirement, she volunteered for Bridges & Beyond and RRMC for several years. It was through her volunteer work at the hospital that she met Thomas Eakley, of Millburn, New Jersey, who became her husband in 2008.

Arlene lived with her daughter, Kaylee Cabana, and her son-in-law, Adam Cabana, who she loved beyond measure. Arlene was blessed with several grandchildren, including Alyssa Perkins, Aubrey Simmons-Cabana, Marissa Loyzelle, Micheal Ley, Aiden Shuman-Gadbois, Ellison O’Neil, Kaylee Jane Cabana, and Finnleigh O’Neil. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. She was looking forward to the birth of her first great grandchild, Delilah Ley, who is expected in February of 2023.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Kaylee (Adam) Cabana of Rutland, VT, siblings, Anne (Greg) McAllister of Pawleys Island, SC, Louise (Steve) Machado of Springfield, VT, Elizabeth (George) Hysell of Rutland, VT, Gary Robertson of Columbia, SC, Joseph (Deborah) Robertson of Swanton, VT, Michael (Patricia) Robertson of Pine Bluff, AR, Mark Robertson of Rutland, VT, as well as several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Eakley, her brother, Ariel Robertson, her sister, Dale Dunkerley, her nieces, Sharyn Weirs, Brandi Robertson, Jessica Robertson, and Amy Dunkerley, and her nephews, Troy Robertson and Scott Robertson.

Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Church, in Rutland, Vermont, on December 10, 2022, at 11am. A reception will follow in the church hall. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

Donations can be made to Kaylee Cabana, to help with final expenses.