Arlene G. (Wheelden) McManus

Arlene (Wheelden) McManus of Waltham passed away peacefully on March 15th at Maristhill, at the age of 95, after a brief decline in health.

Born on October 27, 1929, to Helen (Kingsbury) and Ralph Wheelden, Arlene grew up in Waltham and graduated from Waltham High in 1948. She then worked as a switchboard operator at the New England Telephone Company.

In 1954, Arlene married Richard McManus and they made their home in Waltham, raising three daughters. After her husband’s death in 1982, Arlene continued her career on the switchboard at Brandeis University and Waltham Hospital.

Following her retirement, Arlene moved to Southborough and then to Falmouth in 2016, fulfilling her lifelong dream of living by the ocean. She found immense joy in daily trips to the beach, watching the sunset, enjoying seafood dinners, and sharing ice cream with her family.

Arlene’s first and favorite job was at Brigham’s in Waltham in the 1940s, sparking a lifelong love for Brigham’s coffee ice cream, which she enjoyed daily for over 80 years! She always joked that ice cream was the secret to her youthful appearance and longevity.

Arlene is survived by her daughters Susan Caracino (Anthony) of Waltham, Sharon Anderson (Axel) of Winter Park, FL, and Nancy Joyal (Peter) of Falmouth, along with her nine cherished grandchildren: Devin Tobin (Corey), Dane Caracino, Axel Anderson (Emily), Tyler Anderson (Alice), Brendan Anderson, Erika Beerbower (Nolan), Lindsey Sombronsky (Jeff), Peter Joyal (Melissa), and Brad Joyal. She also leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy and affectionately called her GG: Leighton, Liam and Luke Tobin, Alden and Maggie Anderson, Maeve and Teagan Beerbower, Riley and Dylan Sombronsky, and Logan, John and Cameron Joyal.

She is also survived by her sister, Mary Smith of Waltham, as well as her nieces and nephews. Arlene was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Wheelden.

Arlene will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for her friendly personality and kind demeanor, which she extended to everyone she met.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formally JDRF), 62 Walnut St #5, Wellesley, MA 02481.

Family and friends will honor and remember Arlene's life by gathering for her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 20th in Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.