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Obituary
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our wife, mom and grandma, Arlene Niemi (née Baxter). Arlene, 78, passed away on November 13, 2023, in Penticton with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Lucille Baxter. She is survived by her husband Gary, daughters Shauna Janzen (Jeff) and Charlene Woods (Mark) and her four grandchildren Autumn and Cale Janzen and Keaton and Maiya Woods. She is also survived by her siblings Beverly Mead and Timothy Baxter (Judy) and many extended family members.
Arlene was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. It was there that she met Gary. They married in 1966 and started their family, having both girls in Lethbridge. In 1974, they moved to Vernon where Arlene started her secretarial career in the Vernon School District which led to her long career in the Penticton School District, when they moved there in 1979. Having worked in the Board Office and many different schools in Penticton, Arlene became well-known by many for her infectious laugh, sense of humour, love of clowning around and dress-up antics. She retired from her head secretary position at Princess Margaret Secondary in 2005.
Arlene was an active Sorority sister in Penticton, where she made many lifelong friends. It was during her Sorority years, during family reunions and during socials over their winters in California that she was able to really express her exuberant personality through organizing, playing in and putting on skits. Over the years, she accumulated a colossal… gigantic… enormous collection of Tickle Trunk clothing, which have been well-used by countless people over the years. She was also well recognized for her flashy costume jewelry, which always coordinated with her clothing.
Arlene and Gary thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years. Many great winters were spent in California at The Fountain of Youth Resort, socializing and making many new friends and memories. Arlene’s main love of life, however, became her grandchildren. She even sent Gary ahead to California a few times so she wouldn’t miss sports playoffs and other important events. She was ever present at the kids’ swim meets, basketball, volleyball and hockey games and dance and musical theatre recitals. She was certainly the loudest cheerer at every sporting event (even the ones her grandchildren were not a part of, like the Penticton Vees hockey games). The grandchildren enjoyed their years with Arlene and Gary. They all have fond memories of their many camping trips with grandma and grandpa, where they enjoyed many things like horse-racing, bingo, stampedes and beautiful lakes. The granddaughters fondly recall grandma teaching them to make perogies and spent hours in the kitchen working on making many batches for the freezer. Arlene was the best mom and grandma any child could ask for. She was generous, selfless, kind, loving, supportive and fun and will be greatly missed.
Donations to KidSport Penticton (or your community KidSport) or Penticton Regional Hospital are welcome in Arlene’s memory, in lieu of flowers.
A remembrance celebration will be held in the Spring of 2024 (date TBD). At the gathering Arlene requests that everyone celebrates with some sort of funny hat or a costume piece, if they are comfortable with it. “That was my favorite thing in life, dressing in costume and having the freedom to clown around.”
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November 13 2023

everden rust funeral services & cremation

Death notice for the town of: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique

death notice Arlene Niemi November 13 2023

obituaries notice Arlene Niemi November 13 2023

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Arlene Niemi November 13 2023  and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.