Arlene Avola Obituary

Arlene C. Avola, age 87, passed away peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers on Monday, March 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Arlene was born on July 21, 1938, in Boston, the daughter of the late Anna Mae "Mable" (Reed) and John Francis Flanagan. She spent much of her childhood in East Boston. At age sixteen, Arlene met the love of her life, Joe, attending a friend's Valentine's Day party. They married soon after when Arlene was nineteen years old. Initially living in Winthrop, they eventually settled down in Stoneham and raised their four children. Arlene dedicated her life to her children, husband, home and large extended Flanagan and Avola families. Arlene eventually worked alongside her husband at their family dry cleaning business, Jean Palmer Co., Inc. Later, she volunteered much of her time to the Mission of Deeds in Reading. Arlene and Joe cherished time with their six grandchildren, attending their many sporting and school events, recitals and the numerous family celebrations. Many of their happiest memories were created with their children and grandchildren at their cottage on Long Lake in Naples, ME. In recent years, she also treasured time with her great grandson. Arlene will forever be remembered for her quiet, gentle disposition, her unique ability to share kindness and warmth with all who knew her and according to her high school yearbook, her "infinite sweetness."

Arlene is survived by her husband, Joseph "Joe" Avola, with whom she enjoyed sixty-eight years of marriage. She is predeceased by her eldest child Joseph "Joey" Avola. She leaves behind her loving children Linda Avola of Peabody, Kenneth "Kenny" Avola and his wife Roseann of Methuen, and Douglas "Doug" Avola and his wife Jeanie of Windham, NH. Arlene is the cherished "Nana" of six grandchildren Nicholas "Nick" Avola of Shrewsbury, Emma Avola of Methuen, Alexander "Alex" Avola of Brighton, Marielle "Mari" Avola of Boston, Cameron "Cam" Avola and Isabella Avola of Windham, NH and one great grandchild, Julian Avola of Shrewsbury. Arlene is also predeceased by her six brothers and sisters Buddy, Rita, Norma, Ronnie, Madeline and Paul.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, MA 01826 (www.dracutfuneralhome.com). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11am at St. Michael's Church, 543 Bridge Street, LOWELL, MA 01850 (www.saint-michael.com). Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be held privately.

Memorial donations may be made in Arlene's memory to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601, https://donorservices.alz.org. Mission of Deeds, 6 Chapin Avenue, Reading, MA 01867, https://missionofdeeds.org, or Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923, https://www.caredimensions.org/care-services/hospice-houses/kaplan-house.