Arlene A. Williamson

Arlene Alice Williamson’s vibrant spirit passed on Tuesday March 19th, 2024, at the age of 88. Known for her youthful, positive energy and her contagious smile and laugh, she will be greatly missed by the many loved ones she leaves behind, including her family members and the infinite amount of hearts she touched along the way.

Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on August 20, 1935, to Byron Ambrose Theall and Helen Paulina (Urbanowich) Theall, she was an avid lover of fashion, the arts, exploration, and education. She attended the Norwood Peabody School, followed by the School of Fashion Design, and then Northeastern University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science at the age of 71.

Arlene was married at the age of 21 to Robert W. Williamson, also of Norwood (divorced 1994/deceased 2005). She was a master seamstress and patternmaker, a lover of design, and her favorite place was Cape Cod, where she designed and built a home on Monomoscoy Island in Mashpee with Robert then moved to New Seabury while running her own women’s clothing boutique, Ab Roberts in Mashpee Commons. She also loved to write and had a fashion column titled, ‘Great Looks’ that ran in the Caper Newspaper. She spent several years of her professional career as an Executive Secretary at Analog Devices.

Her final years were spent at The Goddard House in Brookline where she flourished and lived her best life. Painting regularly, making jewelry, hosting art shows, attending lectures, writing stories, and entertaining new friends. She loved music, movies, musicals, books, road trips, and was a social butterfly always up for something fun. She laughed often.

Arlene (Arlé to some) will be greatly missed by her two children and their families, Paul Wyon, his wife Hillary of Belmont and their two children Zephyr (9) and Leto (6) who referred to her fondly as Gigi and were the light of her life - and Abby and her husband, Jason Shepard of Upton.

Arlene lived a full life, surrounded by laughter, love and friendship. Her life will be celebrated through the joyful memories of all who knew her incredibly unique and spirited soul. We will love and miss you always and think of you often as you exist forever in our hearts Mom.

A Gathering to celebrate Arlene's wonderful life will be held in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street (Rt. 1A) NORWOOD on Thursday, April 18th, from 4-7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a contribution:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-arlene-a-williamson