Arlene Shirley Gagnon

Arlene S. Gagnon (Audette), 92, of Wakefield, R.I., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 13, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Superior Court Justice Ronald R. Gagnon. They were married on September 4, 1954, and were together 64 years until his passing in 2018. Born in Pawtucket, R.I., on October 26, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Albert L. Audette and the late Edith Miller Audette and sister of the late Joan Harrington (Audette).

Arlene graduated from Pawtucket West High in 1949 and attended Nursing School at Pawtucket Memorial Hospital. She received her RN degree in 1952 and began her nursing career at Memorial Hospital. After raising her family, she worked for the Rhode State Health department in Family and Youth services until her retirement in 1982. After retiring, she & her husband split their time between Bradenton, FL and Jerusalem, RI until finally settling permanently in RI.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Dyanne A. Clinton, (Henry Clinton), her sons, Ronald R. Gagnon Jr., and Thomas A. Gagnon, (Elizabeth Wood).

She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Laura Clinton (Omar Dudyk), Mark Clinton, Elizabeth Clinton, Nicholas W. Gagnon, Benjamin W. Gagnon, Charles W. Gagnon, Dakota Gagnon, and Jaedyn Gagnon, and her great-grandson, Owen.

The family would like to thank all caregivers and staff who lovingly cared for Arlene at The Saint Elizabeth Green Homes and the nurses from HopeHealth Hospice for all their care and support.

At her request, a private service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the National Breast Cancer Foundation.