Arlene McCarrell

Arlene McCarrell, age 80, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Prairie Health Centre in Cabri, SK with her family by her side. Arlene Carole McCarrell was born July 29, 1937 in Port Arthur, ON to Cecil & Vivian (Young) Henderson. Arlene discovered Girl Guides at the age of eighteen and thoroughly enjoyed her many years in the organization — many of the girls and women became like sisters. Arlene took her Rangers on many bike and canoe trips, even biking around Manitoulin Island and Newfoundland. There were many Guiders weekends at Doe Lake — the same bottle of rum went back and forth for years, until her son, Ralph, took care of the bottle.

Arlene gave birth to four children — Jo-Anne (who passed away in infancy), Ralph (born in 1960), Lee-Anne (born in 1963), and Dale (born 1966). As a family, they decided to adopt Matthew (born in 1980). Arlene played the trumpet and joined the Salvation Army band. Lee-Anne remembers sitting in the front pew with Ralph, while Dale sat in his baby seat under Arlene's chair as she played. Arlene was a nurse for many years. She joined the Air Force and became a paratrooper nurse until she broke both legs jumping out of an airplane. She moved to the Hamilton area and began working at the Wentworth and Macassa Lodges. Arlene enjoyed working in Special Care. For many years, she and staff from Macassa Lodge took the residents to cottages up at Port Severn for a two-week holiday.

Arlene will be missed by many, but she is happy with the Lord. Arlene is survived by her husband of 23 years, Everrett; her children, Ralph, Lee-Anne (Doug), Dale (Jaine), and Matthew (Shannon); her many grandchildren; her two great-grandchildren; her sister, Ruth; her many nieces and nephews; her aunt, Lillian (Thunder Bay); and by her best friend of many years, Gloria Burgoin. Arlene was predeceased by her daughter, Jo-Anne; her parents, Cecil & Vivian; and by her brother, Keith, and sister, Diane.

The Celebration of Life for Arlene McCarrell was held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm from Family Community Church in Swift Current with Pastor Paul Israelson officiating.

In memory of Arlene McCarrell, donations made to Family Community Church would be appreciated by the family.

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