Arlene Ann Elliott

Our Heavenly Father called Arlene Ann Elliott home on 2/23/23 (aged 84) due to Alzheimer's Disease, and she will be greatly missed by those who know and love her. Born on August 14, 1938 in Akron, Ohio, she attended Saint Paul's Elementary School, and graduated from Saint Vincent High School in 1956. An exceptionally bright and hard working individual, Arlene was one of 29 students from 12 different states to win a Firestone Scholarship during her senior year of high school. She then attended the University of Akron for two years before completing her undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis in aeronautical engineering in 1960. Arlene was very active in college where she was a member of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, secretary of the Engineering Council, and a member of the staff of the SC Engineer, a magazine published by the University of Southern California School of Engineering. She was also the only female graduate in her engineering class that year.

Arlene went on to earn an MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering and held positions at North American Aviation, Inc., Hughes Aircraft company, and Boeing. These positions gave her an opportunity to work on projects such as the XB-70 A supersonic bomber and the B1 bomber.

In addition to her love of aeronautics, Arlene had two beloved hobbies: gardening, and training German Shepherds with her sister, Joan, through the Southern California Schutzhund Club. Their dogs participated in international Schutzhund competitions in the United States, Yugoslavia, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, and Switzerland, receiving many awards and trophies.

Arlene attended Saint James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, California. She lived in Rolling Hills Estates, California for almost 50 years, before moving to Dallas, Texas after her Alzheimer's diagnosis. Her grand nieces and grand nephews would visit her at her memory care center where their presence and interaction with her would elicit beautiful smiles from Arlene. Even in the end stages of her disease, her lifelong kind and gentle spirit remained intact.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Leo Elliot and Mary Bernadette Elliott; her sister, Mary Joan Elliott; and her brother, Raymond John Elliott.

She is survived by her sister-in- law, Leanna Elliott; nieces, Shannon Elliott and Kerry Helms-Hoffman; nephew, Sean Elliott; great-nieces, Kailee Helms and Noura Khawla-Elliott; and great-nephews, James, Thomas and Jacob Elliott, Ramy Khawla-Elliott and Logan Helms.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Bernard's Catholic Church, Akron, Ohio, on Friday, March 31st at 4:00 pm. A rosary will be said prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 3:30 pm. Burial will take place on Saturday, April 1st at 10:45 am on the family plot at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue (7th Floor), New York, NY, 10001.

Arlene's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Please click here to view.

The family invites you to sign the online guest book and leave a fond memory. In honor of Arlene's favorite color, all who attend are asked to please wear red in remembrance.