Arlene Mary Tallman passed away peacefully at age 95. She was born in Kuna, Idaho, the fourth child and only daughter of Arthur and Mary (Kinnison) Colwell. Arlene moved frequently during her formative years due to her father’s occupation as a school administrator. Arlene’s family enjoyed summers in McCall, Idaho where relatives continue to gather annually at the beloved PALARICA family cabin on the Payette River.
During World War II, Arlene’s family moved to San Luis Obispo. Her father taught military pilots physics at Cal Poly. Arlene graduated from SLO High School in 1945. It was during this time that Arlene met the love of her life, George, a SLO Naval Air student, at the First Presbyterian Church. They were married after the war on September 1, 1946, in the church where they met. Arlene worked at the Santa Lucia Area Council of Boy Scouts of America while George completed his education at Cal Poly.
Following George’s graduation from Cal Poly in 1950, the couple moved to Turlock and purchased the home they would live in for the next 68 years, raising their four children. Arlene continued her secretarial career with the Boy Scouts in Modesto, the City of Turlock, and in 1956 was the first employee of the MedicAlert Foundation where she stayed for fifteen years. In 1971, she moved on to a career at CSU Stanislaus as Administrative Assistant for the Psychology Department. She retired in 1991 after twenty years.
As an active member of the community, Arlene was involved with Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 75 years. When her sons were young, she was a cub scouts den mother. She also enjoyed membership in the Turlock Rural Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary, a local housewives group, a potluck group with her husband and the Red Hat Society.
Music was a big part of both Arlene and George’s lives. They sang together in their church choirs and the CSU Stanislaus Concert Chorale, traveling throughout Europe and Russia. They also were privileged to sing at Carnegie Hall with other church choirs.
After years of hard camping and jeeping, Arlene and George spent their empty nest years traveling in their RV with friends and took many cross-country trips visiting all 49 continental states.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years George, her son Greg, and her brothers and wives Harold (Cora) Colwell, Robert (Betty) Colwell, and Bert (Winnie) Colwell. She is survived by her daughter Annette (Glenn) Thompson, sons Dan (Christine) Tallman and Steve (Nicki West) Tallman and daughter-in-law Mindy Tallman. Her seven grandchildren include Scott (Carolyn) Thompson, Monica (Jason) Gonderman, Nathan (Alexis) Spradlin, Haley (Jason) Wight, Lexi Tallman, Brooke Tallman and James West. Arlene was also blessed with seven great grandkids including Ethan and Claire Thompson, Hannah and Micah Gonderman, Zoe Berry, and Kyla and Asher Wight. We will all miss you!
A Celebration of Life will be held for Arlene at the First United Methodist Church, 1660 Arbor Way, Turlock 95380 on Thursday, February 8th at 11:00 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations honoring Arlene be considered for Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N. Broadway, Suite 1A, Turlock 95380; First United Methodist Church, 1660 Arbor Way, Turlock 95380; or your favorite charity.
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