In Memory: Arlene M. Chin, Age 57
Arlene Michelle Chin was born on December 28, 1962 and passed away peacefully on April 20, 2020. Born in Kingston, Jamaica to the late Evelyn Hue, Arlene was surrounded in her childhood by many family members, including her beloved grandmother Laurabelle Anderson (deceased), and her aunt Beulah Chin who adopted Arlene when Evelyn was too ill to care for her and became the Mother Arlene grew up with.
Arlene is survived by her loving mother Beulah A. Chin, brother Osmond L. Prayogg (Vivienne); sister Charmaine N. Portis (Brian); nephew Conrad; nieces Camille, Rhodine, Khadine, and Kimberly; aunts Lucy Chin and Ruby Hue; and many loving cousins and other extended family.
When Arlene was 15 years old, she moved to New York. She graduated from Rye High School and completed the program at BOCES where she learned several office skills. She worked for a short time at The Rye Arts Center and at the Bank of New York administrative offices in White Plains.
Some of Arlene’s greatest joys were music—she loved all the songs from the 60s and 70s; movies, especially Disney movies; and drawing and other arts and crafts.
The wonderful thing about Arlene was that brightening other people’s lives brought her much joy in life. Throughout her life Arlene faced many challenges and lived through many personal difficulties. To outsiders, it may have been most obvious what she could not do. But, when her family looked at her, they seldom saw what she couldn’t do; instead they saw the many things she could do. She could smile. She could laugh. She could feel unbridled happiness. She could love without condition. She could make people laugh. Not everyone has those abilities!
Arlene gave us the gift of perspective. She reminded us that most of our problems are not really problems, and to be grateful for what we have. We must savor the sweet, beautiful moments we have every day, because ultimately life is fragile and someday, all too soon, we must say goodbye. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Dumont Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, New Rochelle for their compassionate and excellent care over the past several years, and to the healthcare workers at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital who fought valiantly on Arlene’s behalf. We would also like to thank the many teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers and care facilities who have been instrumental in Arlene’s care over the course of some 40+ years.
