Arlene Shields

Arlene Betsy (Holbrook) Shields, 86, passed into her eternal home into the arms of her Lord and Savior on April 17, 2017 at St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab after a short illness.  Arlene was born in Passumpsic on November 30, 1930 to Harley Seth and Bessie Stella (Waters) Holbrook.  She attended County Hill School in Passumpsic and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy with the Class of 1949.  On June 23, 1956 she married Paul E. Shields. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.

During her adult life, Arlene held various jobs assisting her husband’s business, teaching Sunday school, driving school bus and being a licensed nurse’s aide.  She lovingly and faithfully cared for her father, mother, sister Doris Baird, and Uncle Irwin Holbrook, so they could remain in their home during their final years, and also cared for her husband in their home in recent years.

Arlene was a long time member of Union Baptist Church.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and lived her life daily for the Lord.  Her love for Christ showed in her love and care for others.  She was a strong prayer warrior for many, especially her family, and it was her heart’s desire and prayer that each and every one of them would accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Paul; two sons, David (Karen) Shields of Passumpsic and Daniel (Dale) Shields of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, grandchildren and grandchildren-at-heart, Nicole (Kyle) Borey, Olivia Shields, Rebecca Schoenemann, Kyle Shields (fiancée Alison Zdan), Colby (Nicole) Shields, Kristian Shields, Kristina Shields, Eric Shields and Amanda Liberty.  She also is survived by 8 great-grandchildren and great-grandchildren-at-heart; sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Benton and Martha (David) McConnell, Carol Shields, Marlene Shields, Evelyn Shields and Ruth (Shields) Tessari, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harley and Bessie; her in-laws, Virgil & Agnes Shields; a son, Philip and a daughter, Debbie (who both passed away in infancy); sister Doris Baird, a brother and sister as children, brothers-in-law, Medwin Benton, Wilson Shields, John Shields, Kenneth Shields and Arthur Shields.

Graveside services at the Walter Harvey Cemetery on Mosquitoville Road in Barnet will be on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 2PM.  There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Union Baptist Church, 932 US Rt5, Waterford, VT, 05819.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.