Marie E. Arsenault

Marie Elizabeth Arsenault (Johnson)

Marie, age 92, of East Greenwich, went to be with the Lord her Savior, Jesus Christ on March 18 ^th 2019.

Marie was born in 1927 in New York City to David L. and Florence (Mahoney) Johnson. She is survived by her twin sister Gloria Taylor and brother Robert Johnson. She was predeceased by her siblings Florence Schneider and Bernard Johnson.

Marie was married to Francis L. Arsenault and affectionately raised four boys: John Arsenault (Nancy), Christopher Arsenault (Donna), Michael Arsenault (Brenda Carr) and Joseph Arsenault (Leah).

She adored her 8 grandchildren Chris, Lindsay, Laura, Courtney, Chelsea, Kayleigh, Caleb and Stephanie. She was so excited to recently connect with her great grandchildren Brantley, Hunter, and Jayden.

Auntie Ree’s genuine affection for family extended to her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and more.

Marie was the Godmother of Mary (Sullivan) Dionne and Becky Rossiter whom she had  lifelong relationships with.

Marie had great faith and was a long-time communicant of Our Lady Mercy Church in East Greenwich. Where she also volunteered for many years. Her faith was a part of her that was embedded in her daily life. She was an incredible prayer warrior whom many people sought when they needed prayer. Her prayer list was endless.

Marie had an amazingly tough life, raised during the depression in New York City. Her family moved to Cranston, Rhode Island in her early teens and she lost her father soon after. She spent many hours stuck to her mother’s side (a little more then she may have wanted). She battled many heart ailments throughout her life starting at a very early age.

Despite this, Mom, Nana, Auntie Ree or Marie as she was affectionately known was loved by many. She would instantly connect with you, making you feel special after just meeting her. If you knew her you were lucky. This was all part of the person she emulated, her own Auntie Ree (her father’s sister). This amazing love that her Auntie Ree shared with her became part of the love that she gave. It was an agape-like love, deeper then any emotion. So the humble person with the “bad heart” gave more love then she could have ever imagined.

As a young adult Marie volunteered as an air raid warden for Cranston Civil Defense during WW II. In the 1960s, Marie worked as an executive secretary for Campanella Construction. She then worked for 17 years for the State of Rhode Island in the “Rusty Bucket” where she met her dearest friend Helen Bettencourt. After retiring she spent years volunteering with her twin at the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce.

For the last twenty-one years Marie and her twin sister Glo were very fortunate to be neighbors at Regal Court apartments. They were as individual as could be but truly “soul mates” that loved each other dearly. She was blessed to create a home in Regal Court where she befriended a multitude of people, living as an extended family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday March 25 ^th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 65 Third St., East Greenwich. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, East Greenwich. Calling hours: Sunday March 24 ^th from 4-7 pm at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the RI Right to Life, Doctors Without Borders, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Operation Smile.