Arlene Esther Zelonky

Arlene Esther Zelonky passed away peacefully in her sleep, listening to her son and daughter sing her Yiddish songs, on Thursday morning, February 21, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 88, after a decades-long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Arlene was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22, 1935, to Goldie and Rubin Levin, of blessed memory. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953, earning the prestigious title of ‘Class Clown’, which she wore proudly throughout her life.

Her favorite funny story was that, in 1961, she was forced to take a bus to her own wedding. She got a lot of ‘mileage’ from that story, told it countless times, and it never ceased to make her laugh and laugh.

Arlene received her bachelor’s degree in Music, from Roosevelt University, in 1960, and went on to become a beloved music teacher at myriad synagogues, and day camps, and for the Chicago park district, from the sixties through the early nineties. She was a fine pianist and accordion player, and she conducted some of the most accomplished Jewish temple youth choirs in the Chicagoland area. Nothing filled her heart as fully as teaching Jewish music to children.

In spite of the struggles brought about by her M.S., Arlene persevered, worked hard, and supported her kids as a devoted single mom. Throughout her years, she most relished the time spent with her children, Robby Zelonky and Linda Zee. She supported their youthful artistic endeavors with vigor, as well as those endeavors that came later in their lives.

She also lived for laughing with her grandchildren, Zoe, Elijah, and Kov Zelonky, and they loved laughing with her—at the bus story, and at many, many other stories as well.

Arlene’s legacy in supporting music and the arts, particularly theatre, along with her love of working with young people, has been passed on to her own kids, and also to her grandchildren. They are all grateful to her for that.

The family wishes to thank the Memphis Jewish Home for taking such good care of their mother for the 21 years she was there. Arlene loved the home and the staff. And it was mutual.

Arlene Zelonky—coffee ice cream addicted dynamo—was deeply loved. She will be profoundly missed.

Wherever she is, we hope she finally gets to take a limo to her wedding.