Arlene J. Michaud, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24.

Arlene was born on June 21, 1947, in Fall River, MA to the late Arthur Michaud and Dorothy (Redfern) Michaud. Arlene graduated from Windham High School in 1965. Following graduation, she attended the Morse School of Business in Hartford, CT. She then had a long career at the University of Connecticut as an administrative assistant, in, among others: the School of Pharmacy and the University Senate. For over ten years, Arlene organized the Commencement ceremonies for the Storrs campus. She retired in 2003 after nearly 35 years, and then for several years continued her service to the University in two different part-time positions. Arlene had a great love of travel. Between her first trip to her beloved England at the age of 30, and her last trip in her early seventies, she made almost yearly trips to England. She developed a close relationship with her British cousins, Edmund and Yvonne Barber and visited them as often as she could. Over the years, Arlene also visited Scotland, France, Austria, and Iceland. Additionally, she brought each of her five nieces and nephews on all-expenses-paid trips to England as each reached their teenage years, developing a love of travel in each of them. Arlene also travelled with several other family members and friends to England over the years.

Watching sports was another love of Arlene’s. She was a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Boston Red Sox. She also enjoyed watching Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments. She enjoyed reading anything about England and its history. She helped many friends and relatives plan their own trips to the UK. A lifelong animal lover, she dearly loved her three cats: Spot, Gemma and Ruby. Family was very important to Arlene. She is survived by her three siblings and their spouses: Ron and Marge Michaud of Manchester, Alan and Lucy Michaud of Farmington, and Janet and David Avery of Storrs. She is also survived by two nieces and three nephews: Katie and Ben Upson of Coventry, Tom and Shannon Michaud of Guilford, Ethan Avery of Brighton, MA, Ally Michaud and Tyler Styffe of West Hartford, and Jacob (Jack) Avery of Mansfield. She is also survived by four great-nephews: Charlie and Tommy Michaud, William Upson and Jackson Styffe. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Colebrook Village in Hebron, especially Ebony and Lonnie among many others who have given kind and compassionate care to Arlene for more than a year. We would also like to thank the caring staff at Compassus Hospice for their attentive and thoughtful care of Arlene in her final months. A celebration of life will be held at Potter Funeral Home, Jackson Street, Willimantic on Thursday August 27th beginning at 10:30am.

All are welcome to attend and share their memories. Burial will be private.

If you would like to remember Arlene, and her love of animals, please consider making a donation to: Protectors of Animals, 144 Main Street, Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118.