Obituary of Arlene Theresa Pawelek
Arlene Theresa Pawelek, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the age of 90, at Bridgeway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Born on May 14, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, Arlene was raised in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, where she developed the values and resilience that would define her throughout her life. She graduated from P.S. 122 and proudly called Williamsburg home before eventually moving to North Plainfield, and then settling in Warren, New Jersey, where she lived for many years. For the past two years, she had been a resident of Bridgewater.
A devoted homemaker, Arlene poured her heart into raising her family, creating a warm and loving home filled with laughter, tradition, and unconditional love. Later in life, she worked as a travel agent for Travel Markit in Warren, where she helped others create unforgettable journeys. Fittingly, she was an avid traveler herself and especially loved going on cruises. Among her many adventures, one of her most treasured memories was visiting the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland.
Arlene was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Mount Church in Warren, where she not only worshipped faithfully but also ensured that her children received all their sacraments there. Her spiritual life, paired with her unwavering dedication to her family, gave her strength and purpose throughout her life.
She found great joy in reading and could often be found with a book in hand. She devoured the works of Danielle Steel and James Patterson, but her favorite author of all was Nora Roberts. Her passion for stories reflected her own appreciation for the drama, romance, and adventure that life had to offer.
A lifelong animal lover, Arlene surrounded herself with the companionship of many cherished dogs and cats over the years. Her gentle, nurturing spirit extended not only to people, but to all creatures—especially the four-legged kind.
But more than anything, Arlene lived for her family. Her children and grandchildren were the lights of her life, and she loved nothing more than spending time with them, watching them grow, and cheering them on every step of the way.
She is survived by her loving children, Ken Pawelek and his wife Laura, and Karen Graham; her cherished grandchildren, Ashley Pawelek DeBiasse, Travis Pawelek, Sarah Graham, and Jessica Graham; and her adored great-grandson, Theodore DeBiasse. Her family will forever carry her memory in their hearts and continue to honor her legacy of love, compassion, and strength.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069. A funeral service will take place the following day, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, followed by interment at Fairmount Cemetery in Tewksbury, New Jersey.
In honor of Arlene’s lifelong love for animals, memorial donations may be made to the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter [Link], 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.
