S Alice Arlene (Cressey) Woodcome

LANCASTER - Alice Arlene (Cressey) Woodcome , 86, of Lancaster, MA passed away March 18, 2010 after an extended illness. She was the daughter of Frederick and Hazel (Hough) Cressey of Sutton, MA.

Arlene as she liked to be called was a longtime resident of Lancaster, having moved there with her husband and young family in 1956 from Sutton, where she was born. She invested her life, love and energies in her family, town and relationships with friends who surrounded her. Educated in Grafton, she graduated high school in 1942, particularly accomplished in business skills and artistic endeavors. She graduated from Becker College in Worcester and worked for Blue Cross for several years. She married Arthur in 1947, who passed away in 1984.

Arlene loved her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and all their activities. She loved her artwork, her friends, and her church in Lancaster. She loved her career at Fort Devens in the Civilian Personnel Department where she heartily advocated for the benefit of her fellow federal employees.

Arlene's energy was apparent to all who knew her as was her generosity to those she had contact with. She was always baking something, running an errand or providing transportation for someone in need. Her apple pies were famous and given awards at the Bolton Fair for several years. Her white fruit cake won a recipe competition held by the Family Circle Magazine and published in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette in 1957. Her painting was her passion and one or her landscapes won a First Prize at the Bolton Fair. She loved sewing and making everything beautiful. Her paintings won numerous awards in various judged competitions. She was an active member of her church, The Evangelical Congregational Church of Lancaster, greeting members and volunteering her time in support of the church.

She is survived by her children, Susan Dmochowski and her husband John of Falmouth, MA, Lawrence Woodcome and his wife Kathleen of Dover, NH, Sheryl Williams and her husband Robert of Milford, NH and Jane Mejia of Clinton, MA. She is also survived by her six grandchildren who were very much a part of her life.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service that will be held at 11:00 Saturday morning, March 27th at the Evangelical Congregational Church of Lancaster, 793 Main Street, Lancaster. Per her wishes, interment will be a private. For those who wish, in place of flowers, donations in Arlene's name may be made to the Evangelical Congregational Church of Lancaster, P.O. Box 413, Lancaster MA 01523; or to The VNA Care Hospice, 5 Federal Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com .