MANCHESTER - Arlene Ruth LeBel, 69, of Manchester passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, with her loving family by her side. Arlene was a dedicated wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and public servant. Arlene was born in Augusta on Aug. 28, 1940, the daughter of Theodore and Ruth Blanche. She attended Manchester schools and graduated from Cony High School in 1958. She was married to Gerard LeBel on July 1, 1964, and was a loving wife until his passing in 2002. Arlene worked for various departments within the state of Maine and retired from the Maine Department of Education. After retirement from the state, she served as an employee and volunteer for many years with the town of Manchester. Over the course of her life, she gave back to her community by serving numerous organizations. She was a member of the Manchester Grange 172, Kennebec Pomona, North Manchester Meeting House Association and Church, Saint Mary's Church, Manchester Fire Department Auxiliary and the Maine State Retiree Association. Arlene was loved by all who knew her. She touched many lives with her kind ways and selfless acts, whether it be providing transportation to church for the elderly or putting her special touch on numerous birthday and wedding cakes. She lived a model life, always putting others first, never missing an opportunity to send out a birthday or anniversary card to everyone she knew. She was an amazing lady! She will be truly missed by all. Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Gerard LeBel; and a brother, Glenwood Blanche. She is survived by her companion, Noli Santos, of Manchester; her mother, Ruth Blanche, of Manchester; three brothers, Willard Blanche Sr. and his wife, Harriet, of Manchester, Theodore Blanche Jr. and his life partner, Neal Flynn, of Hollis Center, and James Blanche and his wife, Barbara, of Westbrook; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including one very special niece that was like her daughter, Jennifer Kelley. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the many doctors and nurses at MaineGeneral Medical Center's fourth floor who took such wonderful care of Arlene. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, with the Rev. Stan Moody officiating. A committal service will be held in the spring at North Manchester Meeting House at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: Manchester Grange, c/o Stephanie Daggett Nichols, P.O. Box 5, Manchester, ME 04351; North Manchester Meeting House Association and Church, 672 Prescott Road, Manchester ME 04351; Manchester Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 485, Manchester, ME 04351; or Luke Jeremy Hopkins Scholarship Fund, c/o Maranacook Community School, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield, ME 04355. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com