Obituary for Arleen Joyce Buchanan
Arleen Buchanan was born on May 18, 1932 in the Thunder Bay district. As a child she and her younger siblings were active athletic girls performing gymnastic feats anywhere they could be seen.
After graduating high school she started working at the Murphy Coal Company on Simpson Street and about this time (1952) she met and married a young mechanic named Russell. The couple moved into an apartment on Franklin Street where in 1957 she gave birth to her first of three sons.
They bought a house on Oliver Road and in this home she had their last son. Arleen in 1962 joined the Oliver road community centre and just recently got a commendation from the city for 60 years of volunteer service.
The family started renting a camp on Cedar Bay and after a three year trial period purchased a property on Shebandowans Forestry Bay. They developed/improved that camp until finally retiring there in the early 90s. At that time they started spending winters in Arizona.
Arleen loved to travel by planes trains and automobiles making many trips to the west coast (Oregon) to visit her parents, her two sisters and their families. She tried her best to keep the connection with family strong despite the distance.
In 2011 she became a widow but even that didn’t slow her down one bit. She loved to dance and started attending local events. It was there well into her 80s she found love again when she met and married (2017) another dance lover William Buchanan. Together the couple danced a blue streak and their photograph appeared in the local newspaper several times.
Arleen lucked out again as William also loved to travel. The couple spent five winters at the Tip of Texas RV Park where they tore up the Texas dance circuit.
In the winter of 2021/22 she developed health problems and had to stay home. Even after that her zeal for life never diminished visiting with relatives and friends.
Arleen lost her battle with cancer and died with dignity at her home on April 12, 2023. She received “million dollar care” from William and his daughter with daily visits from the nurses and PSWs. She passed away surrounded by people she loved and was not alone in her final days.
Arleen was predeceased by her parents, her sister, her first husband, her nephew, three brothers in law and her youngest son.
She is survived and mourned by her husband William, her sister, two sons, two stepchildren and their families, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a future date.
After graduating high school she started working at the Murphy Coal Company on Simpson Street and about this time (1952) she met and married a young mechanic named Russell. The couple moved into an apartment on Franklin Street where in 1957 she gave birth to her first of three sons.
They bought a house on Oliver Road and in this home she had their last son. Arleen in 1962 joined the Oliver road community centre and just recently got a commendation from the city for 60 years of volunteer service.
The family started renting a camp on Cedar Bay and after a three year trial period purchased a property on Shebandowans Forestry Bay. They developed/improved that camp until finally retiring there in the early 90s. At that time they started spending winters in Arizona.
Arleen loved to travel by planes trains and automobiles making many trips to the west coast (Oregon) to visit her parents, her two sisters and their families. She tried her best to keep the connection with family strong despite the distance.
In 2011 she became a widow but even that didn’t slow her down one bit. She loved to dance and started attending local events. It was there well into her 80s she found love again when she met and married (2017) another dance lover William Buchanan. Together the couple danced a blue streak and their photograph appeared in the local newspaper several times.
Arleen lucked out again as William also loved to travel. The couple spent five winters at the Tip of Texas RV Park where they tore up the Texas dance circuit.
In the winter of 2021/22 she developed health problems and had to stay home. Even after that her zeal for life never diminished visiting with relatives and friends.
Arleen lost her battle with cancer and died with dignity at her home on April 12, 2023. She received “million dollar care” from William and his daughter with daily visits from the nurses and PSWs. She passed away surrounded by people she loved and was not alone in her final days.
Arleen was predeceased by her parents, her sister, her first husband, her nephew, three brothers in law and her youngest son.
She is survived and mourned by her husband William, her sister, two sons, two stepchildren and their families, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a future date.