Arlene Tarbell

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Arlene M. Tarbell, 91, of Franklin, died on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 at Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Delhi.

She was born Arlene Rosemond Moore in Malone, the daughter of Garfield A. and Gladys (Brooks) Moore.  

She graduated valedictorian of her class from Franklin Academy, Malone, and later graduated valedictorian again from Adirondack Business College, also in Malone.

She married Floyd E. Tarbell of North Bangor, on Oct. 14, 1950.  

In the 50s Arlene worked with her husband on the family farm as well as office jobs in Malone. In the 60s, Floyd accepted a job with Agway. They moved first to Cobleskill and then to Franklin (for the first time). While in Franklin and Cobleskill, Arlene worked for several insurance offices. Moving again, this time to Schenectady, she became a full time mom to son number three.   

In 1969, Floyd and Arlene moved back to Franklin where she took a part time job for a new teacher’s credit union, Chen-Del-O, working from the dining room table of one of the credit unions founders. She stayed on as the credit union grew and in 1980 she became manager/treasurer. She retired in 1995.

Upon retirement, Floyd and Arlene planned to travel, but he passed in 1990. So, when she retired, she and several girlfriends traveled the country. Arlene cruised the Hawaiian Islands and saw the National Parks from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone and beyond. She’s taken bus trips to Charleston, Boston and a great trip to Alaska. 

She was an active member of the Franklin United Methodist Church for almost 50 years. She helped at every church dinner, made peanut brittle for “Grandma’s Pantry,” baked pies for the church booth at “Old Franklin Day,” and never missed a meeting. She was also a member of Franklin’s quilting club and the Onesiporia reading club.

Arlene is survived by three sons, Bruce and Debbie Tarbell of Franklin, Breck and Marina Tarbell of Oneonta, and Tracy and Tami Tarbell of Afton; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Raymond Tarbell of North of Bangor; and sisters-in-law Fran Moore and Alice Moore of Malone. She is also survived by a special friend and fellow traveler Vivian Groat of Franklin. 

She was predeceased by husband Floyd; her parents, and brothers Clorith, Donald and Alton, and sister-in-law Alice Tarbell Egan.

Friends were invited to greet the family on Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin. Burial will take place in the spring in Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to the Franklin United Methodist Church.

To leave a condolence for the family online, visit www.bennettfh.com. 

Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.