Obituary of Arlene F. Begin

Arlene Frances (Bourne) Begin, 89, passed to eternal life on November 21, 2016 at her home in Plymouth, MA. She was born in Plymouth on January 7, 1927 to Irene (Parker) and Kenneth Bourne. She leaves her daughter Rosanna Buhl and son-in-law Richard; sons Kenneth, Wayne, and Timothy; daughters-in-law Wendy and Carrie; grandsons Alex and Kenneth Begin; “adopted” daughter Dulce Villalon; and sisters Virginia Minott, Beverly Swanburg, and Patricia Doherty and many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 62 years, Leo Begin, her parents, her sister Thelma Tower, and her grandson Corey Begin. Arlene graduated from Plymouth High School in 1944 with an affinity for math and science, she was a pre-med major at Bates College (class of 1949) where she met her future husband, Lee. Her scholastic excellence resulted in her being one of the first women accepted at Tufts School of Medicine. Arlene was an amazing mother and woman, excelling in all she did. She was a mom always looking for teachable moments be they moral, practical, or sharing her love of biology. A Duxbury resident for many years, she led cub scout, brownie, and girl scout troops and was active in the funding and construction of the Duxbury Girl Scout House. She led her girl scout cadets on a canoe trip through the NY finger lakes and a bicycle trip from Duxbury to Nantucket. In addition, she sang in the Sweet Adeline’s barbershop quartet and was an accomplished pianist. Arlene’s life changed forever when she heard the truth of God’s love, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ. She loved Bible reading, taught Sunday School, led a Word of Life Bible Club for teenagers, and was active in the International Gideon’s Association, serving in the Gideon’s woman’s auxiliary for many years. She was a woman of faith; mirroring her pilgrim heritage. Her children are blessed and comforted with the truth that ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,’ (II Cor. 5:8) which is far better! A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Rock Bible Church, where she was a founding member, on November 27, 2016 at 2:30 PM. A private interment will be held for family members at Hillcrest Cemetery in Plympton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Plymouth Rock Bible Church (267 Carver Rd, Plymouth MA 02360) or The Gideons International (PO Box 403810, Atlanta, GA 30384).