Obituary of Arlene B Moore

LORRAINE --- Arlene B. Moore,93, passed away at her home under the care of her family, her caregivers, and Hospice of Jefferson County on  Sunday, March 27th.   Arlene was born on November 14, 1922 in Lorraine, the only child of  George and Ethel Caulkins Bilkey. Her mother died of tuberculosis when Arlene was one year old. At that time she and her father moved in with her grandmother, Anna Bilkey, who helped raise her. Arlene has lived in that same house for the past 92 years.             She attended the Lorraine Village School, Adams High School, and Oswego State receiving a B.A. in Elementary Education. She taught at Union Academy, Belleville prior to her marriage to Donald O. Moore on August 11, 1946. Following her marriage she assisted in the family business, Moore’s Friendly Store, and raised her family before returning to teaching second grade at South Jefferson Central, retiring after 20 years of teaching in 1983.             Arlene was an active member of the Lorraine United Methodist Church for over 75 years serving on the administrative council, teaching Sunday school and belonging to the Wednesday Club and other church women’s groups. In 2013 she was honored at an Open House at the church recognizing her 67 years of service as the church organist (1946-2013).             In the early years Arlene would assist in the community canvasses for the March of Dimes, Heart and Cancer annual fund drives. She served as the Lorraine-Worth area representative chairperson for the United Fund for many years. While a member of the former Lorraine Grange she served as assistant matron for the Junior Grange .             For over a decade she served as the Lorraine Town Historian and worked on the town Bicentennial Committee in 2004. As a part of the town bicentennial celebration she edited and published a book, “The Huddle --- The Way It Was”, of her late husband’s  writings on town history and folklore. In 2012 Arlene was recognized by the Tug Hill Commission as a “Tug Hill Sage” for her knowledge and contributions to life on the Tug Hill.             Survivors of Arlene include four children, Bilkey of Lorraine, Terry (companion Barbara Butler) of Lacona, Thomas (Lori) of Sanford, FL, and Melanie (Dale) Bolton of Henderson. Seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, a step-sister-in-law Gladys Brown, of Canton and nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.             She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Donald O. Moore who died December 8, 1991, an infant son, John, her step-mother Blanche Brown Bilkey and step-brothers Allen, Austin, Gary and Lewis Brown.             Calling hours will be at the Piddock Funeral Home, Adams on Wednesday afternoon March 30th from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The funeral will be held at the Lorraine United Methodist Church on Thursday March 31st at 11:00 am. with Rev. Daniel Lincoln and Rev. Mary Drake officiating. Burial will follow in the Lorraine Cemetery.             In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Lorraine United Methodist Church Memorial Fund %Brenda Shelmidine, 22800 Co. Rt. 189, Lorraine, NY  13659.