Arlene was born in Shenandoah, PA on April 11, 1945, and resided in Harrisburg. She was the daughter of Adolph and Sophia (Cichowicz) Paulonis.
Arlene, always an exceptional student, graduated from Immaculata University with a BS in Chemistry. She began her career as a chemist with Air Products of Allentown, and then the PA Department of Health in Harrisburg.
After taking a break from the workforce to start her family, she went back to school to earn her Medical Laboratory Technician Degree from HACC, while raising her two young children. She worked for a local medical lab and eventually retired from Hershey Medical Center.
Arlene was very bright and succeeded at everything she attempted. In her youth, she participated in dance and played the piano. Later, some of her talents and interests included knitting, sewing, needlepoint, and cooking, but she was particularly passionate about gardening. She grew flowers, tended a vegetable garden and always found joy and satisfaction in seeing her seedlings emerge from the soil.
Arlene is survived by her husband of 51 years, Eugene J. Smith, daughter Amy Bridge, son Matthew Smith and his wife Beth, and grandchildren Jamison, Aaron, River, Avery and James. Surviving siblings are Daniel Paulonis, Diana Bubb and Maria Paulonis.
Arlene will be missed and dearly remembered by her husband, children, family and friends.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am, followed by a Prayer Service, June 2, 2022,, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church, 2800 Paxton Church Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17103. Graveside Service will be at 1:30 pm, Thursday, in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church, 2800 Paxton Church Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17103, or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillharrisburg.com for the Smith family.
