Proud Navy mom

Arlene Margaret Beaton, 92, a resident of Rio Rancho since December 18, 1992, died peacefully at home on February 9, 2008. She was born on December 15, 1915, in Boston, the oldest of six girls and one brother. She was a loving mother and an avid reader as well as a civic- minded woman.

Arlene was raised in Quincy and Danvers, Mass., where she met the love of her life, Allan, on December 12,1931. Arlene was married on July 1, 1935, in Nashua, N.H., to Allan Cameron Beaton of Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada. Allan died February 7, 1978, in Providence, R.I. Arlene was the mother of four Navy children. Her two sons, LCDR Robert Beaton and Captain Scott Beaton, both of Annapolis, Md., were graduates of the United States Naval Academy and career officers: Bob in the nuclear submarine force and Scott in naval aviation. Her first daughter, LCDR Meredith Beaton of Rio Rancho, was a career navy nurse and her second daughter, Karen Beaton-Simmons, here in Rio Rancho from Cranston R.I., was married to a Naval Academy graduate. Arlene’s children are still alive and enjoying civilian life as grandparents. She had nine grandchildren, two of whom also graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Arlene was a Licensed Practical Nurse working at R.I. Hospital in Providence for many years before becoming a physical therapist in 1962, working at the State of R.I.-Dr. John E Donley Rehabilitation Center for 25 years. She was the past state president of the LPN Association of R.I., Inc. A member of the Washington Park United Methodist Church for 50 years, Arlene was the past president of the United Methodist Women’s Society; she was on the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Retirement Home and Health Facility. She was also a member of the Edgewood Women’s Club, Cranston’s AARP, where she was chairperson of the health advocacy Committee and the Retired State Employees Association. She was a civilian representative to the R.I. Occupational Therapy Board. Arlene was a director of the executive board of Cole Farm Association, Inc.

Once Arlene moved to Rio Rancho, she became actively involved in the community, working for more than 10 years at St Felix’s Pantry with Sister Genevieve. She became involved with the Sandoval Chapter of CIVITAN and was a president of the chapter. She also was the local coordinator for Health Advocacy Services of AARP. Arlene was selected as the Westside Volunteer of the Year in 1994.

Arlene was an active member of St Paul’s United Church of Christ, Rio Rancho for many years before joining her daughter, Meredith, at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church.

Her four children, nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and one sister, Marion, of Morton IL, as well as Arlene’s best friend of 55 years, Joan Henderson of Taylor Ranch, survive her.

Cremation has already taken place at Daniels Family Funeral Home on Sara Road, Rio Rancho. A celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, 1004 24th Street, Rio Rancho. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Choir Fund of the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church or to ZIA Hospice, 4141 Montgomery Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Internment will take place at a later date in Pawtuxet Cemetary, Warwick R.I.