Obituary of ARLENE FAY SCHARF

Arlene Fay Scharf, age 94, passed away on December 26, 2024 at Stuart Rehabilitation Hospital in Stuart, Florida.  Born in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph Ahrens and Marcia Lowenthal Ahrens, Arlene was an only child but lived in close proximity to all her cousins, who she considered her siblings.  Arlene graduated from New Ultrecht High School.  She won first prize in the annual Fourth of July Bathing Beauty Contest at the Nemerson Hotel in South Fallsburg, New York.  As a teenager, Arlene met her husband Josh at a dance and they were married soon after.  She and Josh had three children, lived on Bay 19th Street in Brooklyn and then moved to Uniondale, New York and East Hills, New York, where they raised their family.  As a young mother, Arlene attended and graduated from Nassau Community College and was a certified respiratory therapist, working at South Nassau Hospital and later at Riverview Hospital when she moved to Middletown, New Jersey.  When she retired, Arlene had a second career as a realtor and worked for Coldwell Banker in the Middletown office for many years; she was certified as an agent for selling historic homes.  Arlene was a resident of Stein Assisted Living in Somerset, New Jersey and most recently, lived at Brennity at Tradition Assisted Living in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Arlene had a big personality and was memorable for her bright red hair and caring, loving style. She created excitement wherever she went.

Arlene was pre-deceased by her husband of 63 years, Johua, her parents Marcia and Joe, cousins Phyllis Alessandro, Stanley "Brother" Bleecher and Manny Goldmunz as well as many other cousins, aunts and uncles.  She is survived by her children, daughter Dr. Lauren Scharf-Snyder (Dr. Robert) and sons Dean (Wendy) Scharf and Martin (Nondra) Scharf as well as grandchildren William Scharf (Carrie), Yale Snyder and Mackenzie Kesner (Jason), Lona Crouse (Jeff), Ryan Scharf (Kat) and Cory Scharf (Katie) and great-grandchildren Caleb and Jacob Scharf, Royce and Goldie Kesner, Harper and Kinley Crouse and Kalaila Scharf.  Also surviving Arlene are her cousins Vivian Weiss, Marvin Ellin and Rhoda Ralph, sister-in-law Naomi Benzil, and special friends Barbara Sefchek and Nancy Graham, in addition to numerous cousins, nieces and friends.

A memorial service was held for Arlene on January 5, 2025 at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Donations in Arlene's memory may be made to: Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) or Tunnel to Towers Foundation