Arlene Storer

Arlene Storer

Arlene was a humanitarian to her core, a Quaker and pacifist who believed
strongly in social justice and advocated for the rights of the disenfranchised,
minorities and counseled women and children in need. She developed a deep
faith in God as a young girl which instilled in her a set of morals and values she
followed for the rest of her life. A history major at Oberlin College, she began her
lifelong interest in travel where she could explore other peoples and countries.
Through her twenties she experienced more of the world than most will in their
lifetime. Immediately after college, she worked as a cryptographer for the
National Security Agency at Fort Meade. She then had the opportunity to camp
across the U.S. with two college friends and lived in Haight-Ashbury in San
Francisco for a year.  Shortly after she grew restless and traveled across the sea,
seeing much of the world and ultimately teaching at an American School in
Beirut.  She traveled extensively throughout the middle east and Europe during
her time abroad. Even in retirement, she continued to explore the world with her
husband Bob: China, Egypt, Thailand, and Greece were all places they visited
eagerly. Her search for adventure never ceased, spending a month in India in her
80’s and zip lining above the rainforest of Costa Rica. If she wasn’t exploring the
world, she was learning about it: she was a voracious reader, a love she sought to
instill in her two grandchildren, Caroline and Jeremy.  If not reading to them she’d
be taking them to museums or on nature walks, enjoying Broadway shows or
classical music concerts to introduce them to the arts and culture she so enjoyed
herself.  She valued education highly: Arlene earned two Masters, one from
Columbia, and taught high school History for several years.  She worked as a
guidance counselor in Carmel, New York for many years, where she helped her
students navigate high school and strive toward a college degree. She took
several students into her home when necessary to make sure they were fed and
housed and loved.  Always on the go once she and Bob retired to West Deptford,
New Jersey, she volunteered at SODAT for many years and attended Meeting at
Mickleton Friends for over 20 years. And even at the Friend’s Home in
Woodstown where she lived for the last year and a half of her life she stayed busy
and social, available for any day trip to Philadelphia or to explore historical sights
around South Jersey. She was also a talented and active member of the Bocce

Team.  In May 2007 the volunteer Center of Gloucester County awarded Arlene
with The President’s Call To Service Award recognizing her commitment to all the
volunteer work she had done over the years.
Arlene met a handsome guy on a blind date.  Their first date was bowling:  Arlene
won.  Shortly after she and the late Robert T. Storer wed and settled in New York.
Two children came along shortly after: Amy (Ted) and Ken. Arlene and Bob were
later blessed with two grandchildren: Caroline and Jeremy.  Her decision to retire
to South Jersey afforded her ongoing opportunities to enjoy watching her
grandchildren grow up. She is survived by her brothers, Barry and Alan (Elaine).
Come celebrate 85 great years on Friday, August 28 th, 3 p.m. at a graveside service at
Friend’s Meeting Cemetery, Kings Highway, Mickleton.  There will be a reception immediately following.   Donations in lieu of
flowers to Mickleton Monthly Meeting c/o Treasurer Chester Luszcz, 429 White
Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 or to the Food Bank of South Jersey, 1501
John Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08110 donate.foodbanksj.org will be greatly
appreciated.

8 Comments

  1. Christopher P Granner says:

    SO enjoyed, and felt embraced by, reading this wonderful accounting of my Aunt Arlene’s life. She was a wonderful, strong, adventurous teacher, mother and friend. We last saw her in 2014 at Dad’s 80th birthday party in Lemont, IL — the twinkle in her eye, and engagement with the important issues of the day and our time, undiminished. Safe Journey Aunt Arlene.

  2. Carrie Wiebe says:

    I’m holding Amy, Ken, and Aunt Arlene’s brothers in the Light. Blessings, love, and peace to you all as you grieve her passing.

  3. George Baker says:

    Sending my condolences to Ken and to Amy and their family. As a teenager constantly in Bob and Arlene’s home, I grew up deeply effected by the way they lived their life and was the beneficiary of so many gifts from them – places they took me to visit with Ken, meals and special Storer foods they shared, daily rituals and conversations. I will never forget Arlene.

  4. Linda Forman says:

    I am so sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathy to Amy and Ken and their families. Arlene was very special. She was caring, bright and had a good sense of humor! I loved working with her at CHS. So many staff and students benefited from her genuine care and interest in their lives. Especially Jennifer. She guided her and sheltered her and helped her to become the wonderful person she is today. 🙏 and ❤️.

  5. Kay and Walter Pierson says:

    Arlene was a valued friend. We enjoyed many good times with her and with Bob when he was alive. We enjoyed some good meals with her at Friends Home over the last few years. As a stalwart at Mickleton meeting she was without equal. We miss her.

  6. Dorothy Allen says:

    Arlene will be missed by all who knew her. I met her 20 years ago when Arlene and Bob joined our book club. She loved to read and discuss what was going on in the world. After she sold her house and moved into my condo complex, we often went out for breakfast or lunch. She was a wonderful friend.

  7. Gayatri (Gitu) Saberwal says:

    We knew Aunt Arlene from our ~ 3 year stay in New York in the early-mid ’90s. She then visited us in India, a few years ago. Although this does not amount to much time together, I could see that she was a special person. Always there for her family, but also always there for anyone in the community who needed help. She made us feel very welcome, and we enjoyed talking with her very much. I can actually hear her laugh right now.

    All our love to Amy and her family, and Ken. As someone said, ‘it is nature’s way’.

  8. Vasant Saberwal says:

    The Storer home was home away from home during the 90s, and I had any number of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and lunches there. Always welcoming, heavily laden table. I so enjoyed Aunt Arlene’s laugh! I only got to see her adventurous side when she visited India a few years ago, but she had wonderful energy and curiosity. But most of all she had remarkable grace in dealing with the challenges India can throw at you. I’m thankful for the time I had with her and know she will be missed by many. Thoughts with you Amy, Ken. Much love.

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