April 17, 1948 - September 18, 2010
Arlene H. (Wilson) Giles Obituary
(Age 62) Arlene Hope Wilson was born on April 17, 1948 to Henry Burns Wilson and Margaret (Lincoln) Wilson in Spokane, WA. In February 1954 Henry B. Wilson died of burns over 90% of his body from an explosion at his workplace for Standard Oil Co. A few years later, Margaret met and married Mr. Thomas Lathen and moved her children to Oakesdale, WA. Arlene grew up, married, and had a beautiful daughter, Samantha. She went to Spokane Community College and became a Medical Records Specialist. Later Arlene had a son, John. After a second divorce Arlene moved with her two young children to Anchorage, AK, where she lived until she returned to Spokane in 1983 to be near her family. In 1984 she met the love of her life, Gerry Giles. They were married in September 1988. In 2001 Arlene became ill and was no longer able to work. Eventually she was able to do volunteer work which she enjoyed very much. She was an advocate for foster children in the courtroom, working with the CASA Program. At one time she was an Ombudsman with the WA State Long Term Care. For five years she was the District 6 Coordinator for the AARP Driver Safety Program and taught the classes as well. She was an avid supporter of the annual Wellness Conference which takes place at the SCC campus every September. She managed the AARP Exhibit Booth. She was a past President of AARP Spokane Chapter 384. Arlene was an avid reader, embracing the new E-reader which became her constant companion. Arlene is survived by her husband Gerald (Gerry) Giles, Samantha (Walter) Jones, John H. Giles, step-daughter Susan Orision (Trent), granddaughter Aloe, one sister, Ginger Nieman (Stuart), two brothers, Kenneth Wilson and Tom (Kathy) Lathen, and many, many nieces and nephews. Arlene and her family are grateful for the loving care she received from the staff at Hospice of Spokane, especially her nurse, Kelly and social worker, Vicki. Many thanks also to Saritha Thumma, M.D. Oncologist and staff at Cancer Care Northwest. Arlene requests in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Reimer Room at Spokane Cancer Patient Care, 1507 E. Sprague,Spokane, WA 99202 in her name. A celebration of her life will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2:00PM with a reception to follow.
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