Obituary of Mildred M. Arens

Millie Butch Arens, of Taylor, died Monday at Geisinger Hospital, Danville. Her beloved husband, Walter “Blackie,” died June 22, 2015, and together they celebrated 48 years of marriage.

Born in Taylor, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna Badner Butch. In 1964, she graduated from Taylor High School, and shortly after she met and married her best friend, Walter. Before her retirement, she worked for Vermont Clothing, Taylor, as a seamstress. Millie was a lifelong parishioner of St. George’s Church, where she was very active in lending a helping hand.  Her faith and dedication to her church was matched only by her love and devotion to her children and grandchildren.

She brightened the lives of everyone who knew her. She celebrated life in a way like no other with her positive outlook and extraordinary personality. She could put a smile on anyone’s face with absolutely no effort. She was always the life of the party with her creative homemade costumes and her penchant for fun. Her talents and interests ranged from sewing and cake baking and decorating to donating her time for church fundraisers. She was an avid animal lover, taking care of strays and donating to animal rescues and shelters. She was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all.

Surviving are a daughter, Melanie Gray and husband, Michael; a son, Walter T. Jr. (Tom) and wife, Barbara; three grandchildren, Dakota (Cody) Arens; and Mallory and Mitchell Gray; a sister, Elaine Orleski, all of Taylor; a brother, Eugene Butch, Moscow; and nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Lillian Prendergast and Madelyn Hamadik; and a brother, Myron Butch.

Family and friends are invited to attend Millie’s funeral, which will begin on Friday at 8:45 a.m. from the Semian Funeral Home, 704 Union St., Taylor, followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. in St. George’s Orthodox Church, 743 S. Keyser Ave., to be celebrated by the Rev. Mark Leasure, pastor.  Interment will be in the parish cemetery. 

Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Panachida services will be at 7:45 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. George’s Church, Taylor or to Tracey’s Hope Hospice Care and Rescue for Domestic Animals Inc., 113 Foote Ave., Duryea, PA 18642.