Arlene Harrison

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Arlene Harrison at the age of 84. She died peacefully in bed with family by her side at the Montfort Hospital in Vanier. She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Robert Harrison, her daughters, Bettina and Kate (Alexandre French) who miss her so deeply, and grandchildren, Cléothilde and Simon French who miss their cherished NaiNai.

September 3, 1938, Mary Alice Arlene Windsor was born in Kirkland Lake. The adored daughter of the late Gordon Windsor and Mamie Windsor (Longpré). Her older brother Keith Windsor(Anne) in New Liskeard and Garry Windsor in Timmins. She graduated KLCVI ‘56 (honours); University of Toronto B.A. ‘57; Teacher’s College ’60; University of Ottawa, MEd. Linguistics ‘87. She was a dynamic and committed teacher of Geography and ESL for over 30yrs, most of them at Laurentian HS. In 1958 Arlene was one of the first stewardesses for Colonial Coach Lines Ottawa-Toronto-Montreal. August 27, 1959, The G&M article features Arlene Windsor, her accolades, humour, work ethics, conscientiousness and, with uncanny perspicuity, her future. In 1962, her first teaching job in Iroquois Falls, she met her beloved partner in life.  This was to set the course of the 60yrs that formed and shaped a beautiful family and a strong community of friends. Combining their love to teach with Arlene’s fierce passion for travel this would take them around the world to Malawi, Africa; Hanoi, Vietnam; Harbin/Beijing, China… +55countries.

Through all these years, Arlene’s first, and lifelong passion, was dance. She literally danced and performed her whole life and all over the world. She taught children to dance when she operated the studio her beloved dance teacher bequeathed her.  As acrobat and majorette, Arlene twirled her baton in many parades, opened games for the Toronto Argonauts, danced at the National Ballet of Canada and tap-danced into her seventies with the Happy Tappers in Ottawa.

Arlene lived to learn, loved to laugh and made friends everywhere she went. There are few people who can match the energy and passion Arlene devoted to learning everyone’s world.  Her eagerness, honesty, her faith with the United Church of Canada and her belief in the goodness in others was rare and special.

Arlene was a philologist, a scholar, a career woman, a dancer

Friends and family are invited to gather for a Celebration of Life in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) on Saturday September 16, after 12 noon.  A Memorial Service officiated by Rev. Bailey will be held at 1pm, followed by a reception. Those wishing to attend the Memorial Service virtually via livestream please register here. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be in her name to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.