Arlene I.(Gover) Dextraze,89, died Sunday, Nov.19, 2017 at the Linda Manor ECF, just shy of her 90th birthday, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Nov.28, 1927 in Burlington, VT to the late Roy B. and Isabelle (Snide) Gover. Arlene grew up in Williston, VT, was a plane spotter during WWII and graduated from Essex Junction High School class of 1946. After Graduation she worked in the print shop at the University of Vermont. She married the love of her life Leo P. Dextraze in 1948 and was proudly married for 65 years.She was always affectionately referred by him as the ‘square dance caller’s daughter.’ They lived in Williston, VT for the next eight years and moved to Haydenville in 1956, first to Bridge Street, then to the family home on Main Street on Nov. 8,1958. She was a loving wife and mother, member of the Hilltown Homemakers, and Greeter at the Our Lady of The Hills parish with her daughter, Dolores.She loved camping with her family over the years and was proud to say she had visited all 50 states. She enthusiastically attended all family and grandchildren’s events and Arlene enjoyed watching the Red Sox and was a fan of NASCAR’s Joey Lagano. She loved quilting, crocheting, knitting, putting together puzzles, doing word searches and reading her murder mystery novels.
Arlene and Leo were proud to have helped over 50 foster children through the years. She will be dearly missed by her children: Donald Dextraze of Haydenville, Dale Fee and husband Joe Laforte of Enfield, CT, Dianne Galvagni and husband Gary of North Hatfield, Dennis Dextraze of Haydenville, Dolores Auclair and husband Alan of Williamsburg, Dean Dextraze and wife Debra of Chicopee, Dwayne Dextraze and partner Holly Pond of Holyoke and Margaret Meade and husband John Hogrell of New Hampshire.
Arlene was a loving grandmother to 17, a great-grandmother to 21 and a great-great grandmother to one. She leaves her siblings: Ann Shepard and husband Lynn of Vermont, Gary Rocque and wife Carol of Vermont, and sisters-in-law Mary Jane Talbot of Vermont,, Theresa Smith of Florence, and Susanne Rocque of Florida along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son Dick Dextraze and her siblings Aymer (Sonny), Arnold and Alvin Gover and Bruce Rocque.
The family would like to Thank the nursing staff on the Meadowview Unit at Linda Manor for the care and compassion they showed for our dear mother and to Hospice of Franklin County. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Dec.2, at 11 AM at Our Lady of The Hills Parish in Haydenville. The family will greet family and friends from 10AM-11AM at the church. A burial will take place in East Cemetary in Williston, VT in the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Hills Parish, 173 Main St., Haydenville, MA 01039, for it’s renovation fund.
Arlene’s cremation was entrusted to the Williamsburg Funeral Home.