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Arletta Currie, 74

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Arletta Currie, 74, of Williamstown died peacefully on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at home surrounded by her loving family.  She courageously fought Stage IV lung cancer for over a year.  

She was born in East Haven, Connecticut to the late Violet Geneva Ertling and Charles Henry Ertling Jr. She graduated from East Haven High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Connecticut in 1964.  She began her career in nursing as Head Nurse of an internal medicine unit at Yale New Haven Hospital. It was here that she met the love of her life, Rutledge Currie. They were married on January 4, 1969. Upon completion of Rutledge’s residencies, they moved with their young family to Williamstown in 1984.

Arletta was an active member of the First Congregational Church (FCC) in Williamstown. She helped organize many important church activities, including the church’s involvement in Take and Eat, the ecumenical branch of Meals on Wheels, the Children’s Fair, and the annual Church Tag Sale.  Through the church, Arletta and her family helped to host a refugee family from Cambodia in the 1980s.

She served as the Williamstown Girl Scout coordinator for many years, helping to organize troops and town-wide events.  She helped Cadet Scout Troop 122 organize and implement numerous community service projects. She led the troop on many camping adventures.  They traveled to Canada, and North Carolina and enjoyed a biking and Youth Hostel camping on the Cape and Islands.  

Arletta was a diligent and determined student. During graduate school she cared for her large family and commuting regularly in all hours and weathers from Williamstown to Boston. In 1988, she earned her Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Boston University and became certified as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.  

She worked with Hospice of Northern Berkshire in its early years as the nursing coordinator and as the volunteer trainer. She later worked with Williamstown Medical Associates as a Nurse Practitioner in long term care until her retirement. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and spending many summer vacations with extended family on the beach in Chatham, Cape Cod. She enjoyed her gardens and raising sheep: Lilac, Patty Pie, Louie, Baby, Baby Baby and Baby III and also the Heifer International Project goats: Belle and Shyla.  

Arletta will be remembered for her sense of humor, strength, love of life, humility and generosity.  She was the most wonderful wife and leaves her best friend and beloved husband of 48 years, Rutledge.  She was a phenomenal mother and her greatest pride was her four children who nursed her, nourished her, cared for and supported her and each other with love and good doses of humor throughout the long challenge of her terminal illness.  She leaves her children Elizabeth Skinner and her husband Andrew Skinner, Deborah Currie, Sarah Currie, and Daniel Currie and his wife Allison Glover.

She was a devoted grandmother joyfully sharing her love for her six precious grandchildren: Malcolm, Euphemia, Mia, Izabel, Rutledge and Katherine. She also leaves her niece, Cameron Currie Rabon, nephews Rutledge and William Currie; brothers-in-law John Currie and Allan Currie; a sister Cherry Ertling; and her loving cousins.

Funeral notice: A graveside service to celebrate the life of Arletta Currie led by Pastor Mark Longhurst of Williamstown FCC will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016, in Eastlawn Cemetary.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, Sept. 30, from 4-6 p.m. at the Flynn and Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main Street, North Adams.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Berkshire County Take and Eat or Meals on Wheels at the First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

 


Obituary Provided By: Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals

Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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My husband, Thom, and I extend our deepest sympathy to your family. Arletta was a kind and loving woman.
from: Mary Swifton: 09-29-2016

I am sad to read of Arletta's passing. I worked with her at Williamstown Commons. She was a kind, caring person. My sympathy to her family. May she rest in peace.
from: Jeffrey crockeron: 09-29-2016

Letty will be greatly missed by her extended family. Loving memories of her will keep her always in our hearts.
from: Melissa Sheldonon: 09-28-2016

Arletta was my friend for just about 50 years. She was unfailingly kind and generous to everyone, most especially to those who were hurting, vulnerable or in physical or psychic pain. Her modest, self-effacing persona was inspiring to all who encountered her. Her ready smile and wry humor always brightened every meeting. She will be missed, and her memory treasured by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
from: Dan Beckeron: 09-28-2016

Letty left countless loving footprints. She will be so well remembered and missed by so many.
from: carol woodon: 09-28-2016

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