Arlene T. Uppstrom

SUTTON – Arlene T. (Erickson) Uppstrom, 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 2nd at Blackstone Valley Health and Rehabilitation. Her life was long and abundant, and even to her last days her sweetness and charm brought joy to those around her. She was blessed with an incredibly sound mind and body right up until her final days, and only gave up living at her long-time home for the last 7 months of her life. Fondly known as “Moomoo,” “Nana” and “Chub,” she was a dedicated wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother and dear friend to many. 

Arlene is predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Wilfred “Bill” Uppstrom Jr. She leaves behind her five beloved children: Steve Uppstrom and his wife Harriet of Northbridge, Raymond Uppstrom of Deerfield Beach, FL, Sheryl Bohanan and her husband Austin of Sutton, Maureen Szczurko and her husband David of Rutland, and James Uppstrom and his wife Dawn of Sutton. “Moomoo” (and “Nana”) cherished being a grandmother to fourteen, a great grandmother to 24, and a great-great grandmother to 2! She took real delight in telling folks about her brood. 

Arlene grew up during the Great Depression in Worcester, and like so many of her time waited for her sweetheart through WWII. She and Bill spent their early married years on Lake Ave. in Worcester and moved ‘out to the country’ to Sutton in 1970, with 3 kids still at home. Arlene was a homemaker in the truest sense and enjoyed hosting holidays, sunny days at their pool, and countless visits from family and friends. She was a good neighbor in her little corner of Sutton. Arlene was a talented artist, and an avid reader. She loved good food, Manhattans made with Southern Comfort and extra cherries, a good laugh, playing games and telling stories, and a little apricot brandy at the end of an evening. When her days of hosting were passed, she would never fail to attend a gathering without a tapioca pudding or a Lemon Lust dessert to share. 

She and Bill were devoted to a long line of dachshunds through the years, and once Bill passed she especially loved a little rescue dog named Laddie and a sweet kitty called Scooter, who kept her company through her years as a widow. She enjoyed many summer vacations with family at Sebago Lake in Maine, and the opportunities she had to travel with her husband. It was the life she made at home, however, and her position as the true matriarch of her family that she will be remembered for. No family celebration was complete without her presence, her laughter, and her long hug when she said goodbye to head home. The children and grandchildren would line up for those hugs! She would always say “I love you so very much.” She was a woman of faith, especially in her later years, and prayed the Rosary dutifully for her children. She often mentioned “her Good Shepherd” when she talked about the Lord. It is very hard for her family to imagine a life without her joy, her constancy, and her loving presence. 

Family and friends are invited to remember Arlene’s life and to pay their respects on Monday, Sept. 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 10th at 11 a.m. at St. James Church, 89 Main Street, South Grafton with burial to follow at Howard Cemetery, Sutton. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Arlene regularly gave to St. Jude’s Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/give.html