Arlene L. Collaretti

(nee Nadeau) On March 24, 2024, of Washington Twp. Age 89.  Beloved wife of the late John A.  Devoted mother of Julia Collaretti (Dave), Maria Elfreth (Rick), Paula Hart (Bill), and the late John C. Collaretti (Linda).  Loving grandmother of Christian (Joanna), Matthew (Jess), Maria (Derek), Andrew (Christina), Rick (Marissa), Nick (Dominique), Michael (Mikaela), Julianna (Jake), and Gregory.  Proud-great-grandmother of Olivia, Sam, Johnny, Ben, Grace, Talia, and R.J.  Loved by nieces and nephews.

Arlene was born in Lewiston, Maine on December 21, 1934, the third daughter of Julia and George Nadeau. She had two older sisters, Lucille and Jean. Her father died when she was just one year old, and she was raised by her hard-working mother and sisters, as well as her maternal grandparents.

At age 18, she met her future husband and “Sweetheart,” John, at a dance. He was stationed at the nearby Brunswick (Maine) Naval Air Station. A few months later they were engaged, and then moved their wedding date up so they could be married before he was deployed to the Mediterranean. She relocated to his parents’ home in Camden, New Jersey. She enjoyed learning to cook Italian food from her mother-in-law and being part of a large Italian family.

After his return from deployment, Arlene and John lived briefly in National Park, and then moved to Blackwood, New Jersey, where they brought up their four children. She was the consummate homemaker. She loved raising her children and taking care of her “Sweetheart.” She was an excellent cook and baker and loved hosting parties for family and friends. Arlene loved gardening and had beautiful flower gardens at her homes throughout her life. She loved to read, mostly fiction novels, and crochet.

In addition to being an excellent mother, Arlene was a loving and doting grandmother. She was always ready to jump in and help in any way with her nine grandchildren. She loved making their favorite meals and laughing along with the conversation. She adored her seven great-grandchildren.

Arlene was kind-hearted to everyone. She had many circles of life-long friends, from the “club” friends she met when she arrived in Camden in 1954, to her “Blackwood girls,” to neighbors she met when she moved into the over-55 community she and John lived in until the end of their lives.

Although she loved being a homemaker, she did hold part-time jobs through the years. Her favorite was at Clover in Blackwood, where she also made a group of friends that got together for years after Clover closed.

Although distance kept them apart, Arlene always remained close to her mother and her Maine relatives. She was very close to her sister, Lucille. She spoke to them often by phone, and her family vacationed in Maine every summer so that she could spend time with them. Her mother and sister traveled to New Jersey from time to time to visit as well.

In 2022, Arlene’s loving husband of 68 years, passed away. As she battled dementia, she spoke often about her desire to join him in heaven. On March 24, 2024, she reunited with him, her late son, John, and many loving family members and friends. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as the friends that she considered extended family, and her cat, Kitty, who became her favorite buddy after her husband passed.

Arlene’s family is very grateful to everyone who assisted in her care for the past several years, most notably, Debbie Veit, her aide that became a dear friend to her, and the wonderful caretakers at Samaritan Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Wednesday, 8:15-10:15 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp.  Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Washington Twp.  Entombment, St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

Donations in Arlene’s memory may be made to Samaritan Hospice

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”