CURRIER, Arlene M. - b. June 8, 1942 - d. Dec. 26, 2006

[Janet Harrington]

The Flint Hills Express
Jan. 17, 2007 page 4

Arlene M. Currier died Dec. 26, 2006 at St. Mary's Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  She was 64.  Miss Currier was born June 8, 1942 in Grand Junction, Colo., the oldest child of Bruce Carpenter and Wilma Marian Harman Currier.

She attended one year at Mesa Junior College before transferring to Ottawa University, Ottawa, where she majored in history and graduated with a bachelor's degree and teacher's certificate in 1964.  She filled in as a substitute teacher in Grand Junction before achieving full time employment at the Longton schools in 1965.  She taught in that district for 33 years, continuing to teach there when it became Elk Valley High School, touching the lives of students, teachers and administrators.  She taught World and American History, Sociology, and Psychology.  She retired in 1999.

Arlene was active in the First Baptist Churches of Grand Jucntion and Longton, having been baptized into FBC of Grand Junction on May 15, 1955.  She sang in church choirs.

Miss Currier performed in orchestras in Grand Junction and Ottawa playing her violin.  She was a member of the 1960 All State Orchestra in Boulder and the Mesa College Civic Symphony in Grand Juction.  Although she was a full time teacher during the school year, Arlene always returned to Colorado each summer to take an active role in the running of the family cattle ranch, doing everything from helping her mother feed hay and cattle drive crews to mowing hay, feeding livestock, irrigating, rounding up the cattle on horseback, driving tractors and repairing fences.

This involvement in agriculture led her to being an active member of Mesa County farm Bureau.  She was happiest when she was at the summer cow camp above Vega Reservior.  In fact, she spent her first two winters following retirement there as well.  Arltene traveled to Israel, Scandinavia, and the UK, and all over the USA.  She had interests in archeology, railroading, genealogy, gardening and especially Civil War Battlefields and history.  Her favorite place to visit in Colorado was Silverton where she spent many happy days camping, jeeping and attending the various festivals taking place there.

Arlene's other interests included sewing, especially embroidery.  Many of her family and friends were beneficiaries of this interest.  Arlene has always been a generous give to her family.  Arlene always has had a soft spot in her heat for orphaned and abandoned cats and dogs and at the time of her death was caring for six cats and two dogs.  She was a supporter of humane societies as well and her vet always knew that if anyone would take in a stray it would be Arlene.

Miss Currier is survived by her father, Bruce C. Currier, her sister, Ellen B. Currier, and her brothers, Walter B. Currier (Phyllis) and Glen L. Currier (Adelaide), all of Grand Junction.

She is also survived by nieces Melinda Currier of Grand Junction, Meridith LaPoint (Pat) of Delta, and Addie Currier of Eagle River, Alaska and her nephews, Matthew Currier (Brandi) and Philip Currier of Grand Junction.

Other survivors are a grand niece, Shannon Currier and two grand nephews, Joshua and James Currier of Grand Junction.

Her mother, Wilma Currier, preceded her in death.  As per her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will take place in early summer.