Arlene (Reny) Mayhugh, 74, passed away at home on May 4, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born on September 25, 1944 in North Vassalboro, Maine, the daughter of the late Arthur and Dorothy (Lizotte) Reny. She graduated from Mount Merici Academy in 1962, and served in the Peace Corps in Maceio, Brazil from 1964-1966 as a medical lab technician.
She subsequently worked as a research lab technician in Boston, New Hampshire and in Sao Paulo, Brazil through mid 1973 when she moved to Madison, Wisconsin. She moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio in 1974, and was passionate about the city and its diversity. She was very involved in the Shaker Schools, serving as PTA President and Band Booster President.
She also volunteered for many years with the Shaker Historical Society, was a Garden club member, and an ‘unofficial’ tour guide for Shaker and Cleveland. Gladly taking new comers under her wing. A talented artist, she ran her own handmade pottery business for almost 40 years.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ursuline College in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Arlene lived life to the fullest, evidenced by her frequent glowing smile and contagious laugh. She especially loved her grandchildren, her family, and nature.
She always looked forward to her visits back home to Maine. She greatly enjoyed traveling, and experiencing different people and cultures worldwide. She lived in Brazil and France, becoming fluent in Portuguese and learning French.
She loved collecting and refurbishing antiques. She was a long-time member of the Cleveland Skating Club. She competed fiercely in a variety of activities such as paddle ball, pickleball, canasta, and mahjong.
She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend. She is survived by her husband, Michael Mayhugh; two children, Megan Mayhugh Arth of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Ryan Mayhugh and his wife, Neema, of Shaker Heights, Ohio; six grandchildren (Connor, Praslin, Cameron, Colin, Kensington, Colby); she was the sister of Donald Reny of Winslow, Maine, Lillian Richards of Benton, Maine, Peter Reny of North Vassalboro, Maine and Priscilla Perry of Eddington, Maine; and brother-in-law of David Thorne of South China, the sister of the late Robert Reny, Pauline (Reny) Daniels and Mary (Reny) Thorne. Maine as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held in Cleveland on May 31st at The Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. , Cleveland, OH 44106, from 6-9pm. A summer burial will be held at St. Francis Cemetery Waterville, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
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