OXFORD – Arlene Ann Gesslein, 73, of Oxford, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
She was born on Aug. 22, 1937 in The Bronx, a daughter of the late George and Lillian (Stiefel) Smith and moved to Oxford in 1957. On Sept. 10, 1955 in The Bronx she married Robert Gesslein.
She is survived by her husband, Robert of Oxford; her children, Margaret King of California, John and Tammy Gesslein and children Robert and Mike of Norwich, Robert and Rhonda Gesslein of South New Berlin, Dawn and Jim Hopsicker and daughter Alyssa of Guilderland, Mary and Lou Casale and children Melanie, Hannah, Josiah, Maya, Krista and Melissa, Mike and Tanya Gesslein and son Isiah of Victoria, B.C., and Joe Gesslein of Victoria, B.C.; her brothers, Ronald Smith of Washington, Donald Smith of North Kingston, RI; her sister in law, Grace Gesslein and friend Aileen Brauer; and her cousins, John and Arlene Stiefel of Toms River, N.J., and Dorothy Castaldo of Saddlebrook, N.J. Arlene was predeceased by her daughter, Ellen Kluk and her brother, Eugene Dorney.
Arlene played softball, ran track and played basketball for the Police Athletic League in The Bronx. She coached softball for the Oxford Youth Sports Program for 10 years. She was a member and past president of the Altar Rosary Society of St. Joseph’s Church in Oxford. She was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for being a very avid fan of the New York Yankees. She enjoyed playing bingo and her friends at the coffee shop.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford with the Rev. Lester Smith, pastor of St. Malachy’s Church in Sherburne officiating. Burial will be St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Fire Department Emergency Squad, PO Box 172, Oxford, NY.