KENNEBUNK – Arlene D. Dickinson passed away peacefully on Dec. 18, 2022, at the age of 101, at her home in Kennebunk Beach, after a brief illness and with her daughter by her side.

Arlene was born on Feb. 25, 1921, in Newark, N.J., one of two daughters of Charles L. Drake and Emily A. Drake. She spent most of her life growing up in Albany, N.Y., summering in Kennebunk Beach before moving there permanently in 2002 to be closer to family and friends.

Educated in high school at The Albany Academy for Girls, she then attended Wheelock College, SUNY, Nottingham University in England, and the University of Michigan, obtaining multiple master’s degrees and working on her Ph.D.

Arlene was an avid educator, school administrator, guidance counselor and special education teacher, working at all levels from kindergarten through college. She truly adored all her students throughout the years. She had a very curious mind and was constantly educating herself, particularly about health, politics, art, women’s issues, gardening, and cooking. She also was engaged in several volunteer opportunities including being a local ambulance driver during World War II. In her younger years she very much enjoyed skiing and golf.

After retiring, she worked as a docent at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, Mass., as well as the Portland Museum of Art, and after moving to Maine she had more time to devote to her love of gardening, cooking, reading and a brief period of yoga practice.

Arlene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved her family fiercely and very much enjoyed time spent with them going on various outings and sharing with them her love of music, art, and theatre.

Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Edgar F. Dickinson.

She was survived by her daughter, Emily Dickinson Leete and her husband, William H. Leete, both of Falmouth; her grandson, Christopher A. Leete, currently of Waltham, Mass.; her sister, Florence D. Damon, of Kennebunk; and several nieces, nephews and their children.

The family would like to express their thanks to the wonderful caregivers from Home Instead and Compassus Hospice Care for their tireless care and compassion which allowed Arlene to stay in her home throughout her last days.

In accordance with her wishes, a private burial service will be held in the spring in Albany, N.Y.

To leave a message of condolence, please visit Arlene’s Book of Memories at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.

In lieu of flowers, Arlene requested that contributions be made to one’s charity of choice, or to:

The York County Habitat for Humanity,
4 Industrial Dr.,
Kennebunk, ME 04043;

The Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel,
P.O. Box 1531,
Kennebunkport, ME 04046;
or Doctors Without Borders USA, Inc.,
P.O. Box 5030,
Hagerstown, MD 21741