Arlene J. Files


November 12, 2011

CARTHAGE, N.Y.  —  Arlene J. Files, 84, formerly of Carthage, died Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Samaritan Keep Nursing Home, Watertown. 

Born Oct. 7, 1927, in Auburn, the daughter of George and Kathleen Borland Butts, she attended schools in Carthage. 

She married Norman L. Smith at the First Baptist Church in Carthage on Oct. 25, 1947, with the Rev. Chanley, officiating. The marriage ended in divorce. The two remained close friends.

Arlene had an ability to love unconditionally. In fact she nurtured many young people through her role as a foster and also adoptive mother. She always wanted to celebrate with family and friends this usually took the form of family reunions, seasonal holiday extravaganzas, end of the summer clambakes, and at times just a simple weekend get together for homemade buffalo wings while watching a NASCAR race. It is a testament to her ability to make this world a better place through small seemingly insignificant actions that have a tremendously positive ripple on the most important fabric of this society namely family. She is part of a bygone era that harkens back to a kinder and gentler time when the quality of human relations were more important then the things of this world like obsessions for money and status. For these things and many more she will forever be remembered by those that loved her.

She was the past-president of the Milltown Elderly Housing in Evans Mills.

Surviving are a son and his wife, Duane A. and Denise A. Smith, Evans Mills; three grandchildren, Diantha M. Santiago-Smith, Syracuse, Desiree and Nathaniel Smith, both of Evans Mills; five sisters, Blanche Miles, Watertown, Louella Card, Copenhagen, Jewell Maracle, Syracuse, Nancy Johnson, Carthage; and Jeannette Kerr, Syracuse.

Two brothers, Richard and Jack Butts, died before her.

Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 8408 S Main St., Evans Mills, with Rev. Kornmeyer, officiating, pastor of the church.






Information provided by Bossuot-Lundy Funeral Home, Inc., and Newzjunky.com, Watertown, N.Y.