Arlene Jeanette (Thompson) Hughes

Arlene (Thompson) Hughes, 90, of Palmyra, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Spang Crest in Lebanon.  She was born Tuesday, May 25, 1926 in Reading to the late Boyd and Eva (Lineaweaver) Thompson.  She was predeceased on Monday, June 8, 2009 by her loving husband of 63 years, Irvin E. Hughes.

She graduated from Reading High School in 1943 and spent her life loving and serving her family and church.  She was a member of Palmyra First United Methodist Church where she served as secretary for 15 years and was instrumental in the vitality of the church.  She was active in the youth fellowship, married couples classes and was always lending a helping hand where needed. 

As a young woman, she was active in the Palmyra Woman’s Club.  She had an amazing talent and skill for traditional oil painting, and her many works can be seen in the homes of her family.  She loved golfing, crabbing at Stone Harbor, fishing, attending her grandchildren’s sporting and musical events, listening to operettas, traveling, and attending Hershey Park events.  She was known to be the life of the party and valued making lasting memories with family and friends.  Being a wife and mother was the most important thing to her, later in life the joys of being a grandmother and a great-grandmother were immeasurable.  Her zest for life, caring soul, and loving nature will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by a daughter, Sandra H. McKinley and husband Daniel of Palmyra; two grandchildren, Jason D. McKinley and wife Jaime of CT, and Kelly M. Snyder and husband Skylar of Palmyra; four great grandchildren, Connor Hughes McKinley, Jackson Taylor McKinley, Luke Daniel Snyder and Kayla Anne Snyder; a brother, Bernard Thompson and wife Grace of Reading; and a sister in law, Reba Thompson of Reading.  She was predeceased by three brothers, Leon “Smokey”, Walter, and Richard Thompson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 11th at 11 AM at Palmyra First United Methodist Church, 520 East Birch Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. Dr. David P. Harris officiating.  Private burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra.  Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 AM until time of the service at the church.  Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Friends of Spang Crest, 945 Duke Street, Lebanon, PA 17042 or her church.  Her family would like to thank the staff at Spang Crest for the loving care she received and for keeping her spirits high every day.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com

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