Arlene Marie Kirkwood, age 83, passed away at South Lincoln Medical Center, in Kemmerer, on May 20, 2023.
She was born on March 10, 1940, in Kemmerer, the daughter of John Andrew and Annie Churlick Stefonick, the first daughter of five.
Arlene grew up in Diamondville and attended Kemmerer High School. She started her working career as a secretary for Bonicelli Insurance Agency. She met the love of her life, Art Kirkwood, and they were married on Jan. 16, 1960.
She and Art resided in Kemmerer for several years, then they moved to Rock Springs for Art’s job. While there, she started work as a waitress at the Sands Café, and as a bookkeeper for a business in Green River.
They moved back to Diamondville in the 1970s and built their home.
Arlene went to work for the Bear Claw Service in Diamondville, where she was the manager for several years. After the Bear Claw closed, she started working at Jubilee grocery store, then later went to work for the Lincoln County School District until her retirement.
She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, and she was passionate about making shortbread every Christmas for her family and friends.
She especially enjoyed her cat “Cowboy,” whom she doted on. She and her sister, June, were very close and did many things together in their later years.
Arlene is preceded in death by her husband, Art Kirkwood, after 51 years of marriage; her parents, John and Annie Stefonick; and four sisters, Mary (Jake) Kaydas, Annie (George) Marshinsky and Margaret (Bill) Carmichael; a brother, John Stalliviere; and a sister, June (Jerry) Somers.
Arlene is survived by three sisters, Carol Cattelan, Sally (John) Hunzie and Georgia (Larry) Coplen; and also several nieces and nephews.
Arlene had a great sense of humor — she liked to tease and be teased. She will definitely be missed by many family and friends and all who knew her.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 2, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Kemmerer, with inurnment to follow at the Diamondville Cemetery in Diamondville.
