Arlene Horan's Obituary
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 4, 1928, Arlene lived her life loving sunshine, blue skies, green grass and, of course, ALL living things. She had a work ethic that lasted her entire life and she dedicated herself to helping others. While raising four children alone, she worked her way through college at the California State University of San Francisco to become an R.N., working well into her mid-70’s in the CCU, ER and MICU units at Seton Hospital in Daly City, CA. She was a long-standing member of the “Golden Girls” nurses there and even after retirement was always first to be called to work when the census was high. She also worked as the School Nurse at Mills High School, eventually becoming the District Nurse in charge of all seven high schools in the San Mateo Union High School District. There she trained and certified all faculty and staff in CPR and gave frequent instruction on nutrition and other health-related matters.
Arlene left our world surrounded by family and love and is now reunited with her beloved son Steven Horan; brother Richard, sister Joyce, mother Adella, and father Wilbert. Daughters Nanette Watts (Ray), Linda Barron (Brett), and son David Horan (Victoria) will miss her greatly; as well as her six grandchildren Bria Iacini-Mutch (Matt), Amber Rogan (Johnny), Jessica Cesca (Dan), Brittany Saleem (Boon), Brooke Barron (Jordan), and Brian Barron. She was also a Great-Grandma to JJ Rogan, Sadie Cesca,
Cameron Mutch, and the soon-to-arrive Stevie Rogan. She also had many nieces and nephews whom she always held dear in her heart.
Her grandchildren will fondly remember her holiday & birthday gifts of pieces of her own jewelry, books, and all the latest tools and gadgets for the guys...all laden with meaning and her love; her lectures on healthy eating and a colorful plate vs. colorless one; and of her always wanting to open presents first, before eating, at every celebration. She also loved “cloud reading” the shapes of the clouds in the sky with others. She was passionate about her family, her pets, her bountiful garden, TNR
(Trap/Neuter/Release) of local feral cats, working on both Obama campaigns, and going to lunch and movies with her family and nursing friends.
Her gifts to this world were many, including her teachings to love all mankind and all animals, the embrace of all races and religions, encouraging everyone she came in contact with to “just be kind”, her wit, her humor, and her truth. She was sassy, stubborn, brilliant, fearless, loving, never afraid to express her feelings, and would always root for the underdog! She survived COVID-19 with a twinkle in her eye and
could always make us laugh.
It is now her time to be free. She did so much and helped so many in her lifetime. Her family always felt surrounded by her love and she taught them well. They will always make sure her life lessons and kindness continue on through her future generations and we will all remember Arlene with so much love every time we look up into the “skyblue” above......her favorite color.
What’s your fondest memory of Arlene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arlene?
Share a story where Arlene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arlene you’ll never forget.
How did Arlene make you smile?