My Mother Made Me a Zookeeper: Mom shared her love of nature with me, Roger & Julie from early ages. I understand now the importance that I was encouraged to explore my wildlife fascinations. I was allowed to collect a diversity of small live animals such as insects, especially ant colonies, spiders, crayfish, frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes & keep them in my room! I fondly recall pet store trips to look at & sometimes buy hamsters, chameleons & colorful tropical fish. We bought “Coco” a very pregnant guinea pig so we kids could learn to appreciate the facts of life; several generations & dozens of guinea pigs later, we did! We also had a few dogs & to this day I am a dog person. Thanks Mom!
One story now humorously reflects Mom’s love of nature. I was 12 living in Tulsa & had a 2-foot-long pet Garter Snake. I caught it on one of my forays to nearby fields & woods. Well, the snake escaped its terrarium, disappeared into our house and could not be found!  This happened during a period of extreme miserably bone-dry drought. Fast forward 2 weeks when Mom was ready to take a well-deserved relaxing bath. She screamed, “RANDY COME GET YOUR SNAKE!!!”  I burst into the bathroom to see my towel-wrapped Mom standing in a partially filled tub, the snake swimming around her feet! The poor thirsty thing sensed moisture & slithered out the overflow drain into the bathwater!  Mom was rudely shocked, who wouldn’t be? But scared? Absolutely not! She was an animal person! After all that commotion I still got to keep my snake! Thanks Mom!
With that loving childhood support, I earned degrees in Biology, Zoology & Entomology, & snagged a dream job at the world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, first as a Zookeeper then a Curator. My incredibly rewarding career lasted 30+ years. Thanks Mom!
I’m retired & spend many enjoyable hours birdwatching outdoors basking in the natural world’s beauty. All of this fun & joy instilled within me in countless ways by my mother. Thanks Mom!!!

From Randy, a Forever Loving Son

  I am so blessed to have had a mother that was beautiful inside and out. She was dedicated and nurturing to all her kids. When we were young, she was always there for us for swim lessons, birthday parties, and many other activities. She let us have dogs, guinea pigs, gerbils, and tropical fish. I remember her to be there for me to get all my pet supplies when needed. My mom made a huge impression in my life and will always be missed.

From Roger, a Forever Loving Son

Mom, 
You were beautiful both inside and out. I was always so proud of your beauty as it seemed people were in awe of you wherever you went. Yes, you sure knew how to light up a room. 
     Your warm smile not only enhanced your natural beauty, but it was also indicative of your warm character. Kindness eluded from you throughout your life. A major area of this was through your love of animals. I saw how devoted you were with the animals in your life, how you went to great lengths to nurture them and to do whatever was necessary to keep them healthy. I understand how I became like you in this regard. I too have put a lot of time and energy into my pets and have loved them to full capacity, giving them the best life possible. My heart breaks each time I lose a pet, from loving someone whose lifespan is shorter than our own. Regardless of the pain, empathy and compassion for animals are good traits to have. I am so thankful you instilled these lifelong attributes by allowing many animals into our home growing up.
     You and I have spent a lot of good times together, but the most memorable were during my childhood.  You were my childhood hero. You read to me and taught me how to draw animals. I would watch you and learn. You took my friends and I shopping and out for treats. You did crafts with us, and I remember the paperweight you helped us make at the Campfire Girls (Bluebirds) meeting.  You took us to look at the Bone China animal collections. You knew how much I loved the little trio of each animal collection, so you always had a set on my birthday cake each year. I remember all the fun slumber parties I was able to have. I remember you and I would go horseback riding on Thursdays at Somerset County Riding Stables, our special time together. I remember when you and I went to the amusement park, and you let me go on that crazy spinning ride over and over again. You smiled and said you liked watching me have fun. I remember the smell of the chocolate chip cookies you sometimes baked for us when we came home from school. I remember how you brought me stuffed animals when I was sick. I remember when I got my tonsils out, you spent a lot of time chopping up ice chips so I could cool my throat. I remember all of our long talks when I got to sleep with you when Dad was out of town. I also remember you helped get my room decorated so I would feel girly and have nice things. These are just some of the many precious memories I have.
     There is a funny story I remember. You were driving us both back after visiting Randy in Ohio. I was reading, so I was not looking or paying attention to the signs. We were about 5 hours into our drive when I stated that things did not look familiar, and it didn't look like we were even to Indiana yet! I asked you to pull over so I could ask for help. I told the man at the gas station that we may be lost and should be in Illinois after five hours of driving. He said, "Illinois? You are in Tennessee! If you go a few more miles, you'll be bringing home Georgia peaches!"  We both laughed as I told you what he said, but it was not funny as we drove another 6 hours home. I had to work in the morning, so I got ready for work as soon as we pulled in. 
     I do remember when I was little, you threw my teddy bear "Cuddles" into the outside garbage can because it got ruined by rain. I went outside and got it again. It had then disappeared, but you brought home a new bear that we named "Smoky." You did your best to mend my broken heart.
     You were the nurturing force of the family, promises kept, always there, always dependable. I feel incredibly lucky that you were my mother, and I am forever grateful. You were the one who gave me life. You shall be forever loved and forever missed.

Your Loving Daughter, Julie

Arlene-
The warm-hearted and loving mother of my Love and companion, Julie.  Arlene was always kind and sweet to me and I will always remember the wonderful and enjoyable times we spent together.
Thanksgivings- she loved my dressing, actually my dear mother's recipe, the Christmas Eve's that we celebrated over the years and so many other joyful times as well.
Finally, thank you Arlene for the love and acceptance that you showed to me over the years. May you have eternal rest in God's Heavenly Kingdom.

Bob

I was so blessed to call her my Aunt.  Vacation trips to their homes in Tulsa and Chatham are such special memories in my growing up years.  She was always so kind and gracious and was beautiful inside and out.  

With much love,

Darlene (Morgan) Biddle

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your sweet Mom.  May the lovely memories comfort you during this extremely difficult time. 
I am so very grateful for the wonderful childhood memories we made being next door neighbors in Chatham. Julie and I were inseparable growing up.  Sleepovers, sharing a meal at one another's homes, going to the pet store or purchasing our beloved Bone China animals to add to our collections...your mom was always there...loving and supportive. Most of all I will always remember her sweet laugh...such a beautiful woman inside and out.  

Rest in peace Mrs. Morgan 💜
Deb (Loria) Coakley 

My Aunt Arlene was my dad's sister.
 I remember the stories my dad would tell me of their childhood and how she would take him riding on her horse and play other games together.
I did not get to see Aunt Arlene a lot growing up since she lived in a different state. However, she and I were neighbors for a while when she moved back to St. Louis. I remember she made me Turkey soup one night when my husband was working. I had never tasted Turkey soup before, and it was really good. It was definitely her thing.
 I really enjoyed Aunt Arlene's company. She was a really good person.

I am Arlene's sister-in-law as I was married to her brother, the late Richard Juergens. We knew each other since we were very young. Her passing has strongly affected me, and her beautiful funeral was like a blur since my mind was in a fog. I remember her looking so beautiful and she was in the most beautiful casket. That is about all I can remember about it since it's so hard to say good-bye to someone you love. It was and still is melancholy for me.
 I have a picture of Arlene and Richard hugging in one of those digital photo frames where they are sitting together on the couch. They are a beautiful couple of siblings.  When I had trouble with my digital picture frame, I called my neighbor to help me get it started again. Once it started, their picture was the first one to pop up. I get to see them together every day through my frame. I hope now they are together again, and that Richard is still playfully teasing his sister.
 It was a hard goodbye.

I remember how I fell in love with my special girl right away.  She was always kind and gentle.  We stayed together for nearly 25 years.  She brought out the best in me. I am grateful and proud that we shared so much of our lives together. I remember how we always, especially at bedtime, said "Love you and God Bless." I miss her all the time now that she's gone. 
When we first met, I found out I was allergic to cats.  Arlene had 2 cats so every 5 to 6 weeks, I would see my doctor for treatment.  She eventually said, "Bert, maybe you need to find someone who doesn't have cats!"  Advice I ignored with a smile.
I knew Arlene loved me, but she also loved her cats. I admired her for the person she was and how she loved all animals.  One specific situation with a cat that I found extra special was when she nursed a cat, day and night, for a year. Cindy the cat needed to have fluid expressed from her bladder in order to live.  Eventually, my girl had to give her up and put her to sleep.  Arlene was heartbroken.
There was a small bouquet of tea roses on the kitchen table. That afternoon, a solitary rose facing Arlene opened up completely and displayed a multitude of colors, the only one to do so all week. 
The next day, we took the bouquet to the florist for an explanation.  The florist informed us that they have handled thousands of similar roses for years and have never experienced a flower like that. They had no explanation for this occurrence.  Arlene and I felt that something unusual and special happened to show her that she had done "Good Merciful Work." It was an amazing experience we shared together. 
I will miss Arlene for the rest of my life.

Forever Missing My Girl,

Bert



Julie, sending my deepest condolences for your loss. Your mother was beautiful.  

Dear Julie,

I have sweet memories of your mother on Rolling Hill Drive. She was always present and had a funny tease when speaking to me. She was light and embracing.  My favorite moments were in your kitchen whether on the way to school, hot chocolate after a long sledding session, BLT sandwiches, miracle whip at your house, a side pickle, and special times making candied apples. Your mother was always present and always appreciated.  Her memory will remain in my heart forever as well. 

OBITUARIO

Arlene Lorraine Morgan

27 enero, 1930 – 5 febrero, 2023

Hoffmeister South County Chapel

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