Obituary of Arlene Lefebvre

Arlene E. (Wheeler) Lefebvre, a woman who devoted her life to her family, home and faith, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center after a brief illness on Sunday, July 4, 2010. The beloved wife of 53 years of Joseph E. Lefebvre, she was 75 years old. Arlene was born in her family home in Shirley. She was raised in Shirley. She was the daughter of the late Walter E. and Anne Wheeler. Arlene was a graduate of St. Anthony Grammar School and St. Bernard’s High School. After graduation she went on to graduate from Burdett College in Boston. It was while attending Burdett that Arlene would meet her future husband Joe. They met while taking the train from Shirley to Boston each day. After they married they settled in Burlington in 1960 where they would raise their five children. Children played a special role in Arlene’s life. In addition to raising her own children she took in babies through Catholic Charities. She was a volunteer in Burlington and Reading public schools for children with special needs. While her children were growing up she worked as a secretary for the local town newspaper in Burlington. However, Arlene’s primary role in her life was that of wife, mother and grandmother. As a family they took many road trips together whether it be camping or visiting such locations as Prince Edward Island in Canada or Myrtle Beach where they had property. One of the most memorable trips that Arlene and Joe took together was to Europe where they visited Rome, Fatima and Normandy. Arlene was a wife, mother and grandmother that will be lovingly missed. Arlene was the beloved wife of Joseph E. Lefebvre. She was the loving mother of Mark J. Lefebvre & his wife Rita of Hudson, NH, Mary A. Hanafin & her husband John J. of Burlington, Michelle A. Lefebvre of Woburn, Joanne M. DeBruin & her husband Martin C. of Tyngsboro, and Monique T. Lefebvre of Lynn. Sister of Patricia Hartman and Kenneth Wheeler both of Shirley and the late Walter E. Wheeler, Jr. Devoted grandmother of Shelby Lefebvre, Brooke & Jordon Hunter, John, Michelle, Theresa, Laura, David, Julie, Annemarie, Joseph & Mary Hanafin, Christiaan, Alanah, Brianne, Jessica & Jared DeBruin, and the late Mark Hanafin. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn. St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, July 8 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Shirley. Memorials in Arlene’s name may be made to Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Schrafft Center, 529 Main St., Boston, MA 02129.