Arlene Marie Ellis

To view the live stream of the Mass of Christian Burial, please click here.  This live stream will begin at 10:45 AM, Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Arlene Marie Ellis, 86, of West Chester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at The Hickman Home in West Chester.  She was the beloved wife of the late Irving “Marv” Ellis, with whom she shared almost 30 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2014.

Born in Brooklyn, NY., she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Christine DeLucia Marchese.

Arlene was a football, baseball, swimming and diving mom long before there was such a thing as soccer moms. Always involved in community and school affairs, as a young mother she enjoyed bowling, bridge and local politics. If any of her five children had an interest in sports or other activities, then Arlene did too. Arlene loved her large extended family making sure there were many family gatherings and trips to NY to visit her parents and siblings. She loved the beach and many enjoyable family vacations were spent in Ocean City, NJ. Later in life she enjoyed traveling and cruising vacations with her beloved “Marv”. Arlene adored Marv's three children and thought of them as her own. Arlene had a second act in life as successful businesswoman with a career in Marketing with National Liberty, American Express Insurance and Hartford Insurance. Her role in marketing led to her meeting Marv while participating in the filming of a commercial shoot at a local diner. Marv’s second career as an actor led to that fateful meeting with Arlene.  While on their California honeymoon, Arlene decided to interview for a position with American Express in San Raphael. That led to a 3-year adventure living on the west coast.  As her children and nieces and nephews began to marry and have children of their own, it was time for the adventurers to head back to eastern Pennsylvania. Arlene was a strong, determined, independent woman who touched so many lives in so many positive ways. In her senior years Arlene enjoyed spending time with her large family and new friends from the Great Valley Senior Center. She was an avid reader, loved a good movie, and trips to the casino. She fought through some health issues over the last few years with grit and a positive attitude that even the confinements of Covid couldn’t shake. Arlene was an amazing, loving person and will be missed by many.

Arlene is survived by her five children, Mark (Eileen) Menkes, Christine (Jay) Cary, Carl (May) Menkes, Judi (David) Hart and Scott (Linda) Menkes; three step-children, Cheryl (Michael) Saft, Kenny (Laura) Ellis and Bonnie Jacobs; two brothers, Tom (Rosemary) Marchese and Michael (Peg) Marchese and a sister, Toni Ann Marchese.  She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  Arlene was predeceased by a sister, Rose Marie Rothe.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 104 Channing Avenue, Malvern.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to The Chester County Hospital Foundation, Penn Medicine Hospice, 701 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 or made online by clicking here

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