Arlene F. (Heath, Fitzgerald) Toolin, 84, of Tiverton, RI, passed away peacefully at home on November 16, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Born on December 24, 1941, in Springfield, MA, Arlene was the daughter of the late George G. Heath and Margaret M. McCracken (Heath) Desmarias. She was a proud graduate of Enfield High School, Class of 1959.
Arlene devoted her life to caring for others, with a special focus on hospice nursing, where she provided compassion and comfort to patients during their most difficult times. In 1991, her career was abruptly interrupted by a serious car accident, which led to multiple surgeries and ongoing health challenges. Despite these hardships, Arlene’s unwavering strength and resilience remained constant, and her beloved husband, Richard Toolin, became her dedicated caregiver. Together, they shared a love that sustained them through every obstacle.
Arlene was predeceased by her husband Richard Toolin, with whom she enjoyed over 35 years of marriage, as well as her first husband, Edward A. Fitzgerald. She was predeceased by her brother, George Gordon Heath of Lebanon, CT, and her sisters Evelyn Francis Heath of Alvin, TX and Romalene Desmarias of Broad Brook, CT.
She is survived by her son, John Fitzgerald (Elizabeth) of Fort Myers, FL; her daughter, Laura Fitzgerald Coristine (Keith) of Newport, RI; her daughter, Shannon Wright (Dennis) of Kansas City, MO, and 7 grandchildren. Arlene is also survived by her two stepchildren, Wendy Toolin Breau (Steve) of Toronto, Ontario, and R. Scott Toolin, of Carver, MA and 2 step-grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly. She also leaves her sister Rita Heath Branton of Alvin, TX.
Arlene will be remembered for her boundless love of family, her deep faith in God, her love for her 3 dogs, Sebastian, Danny and Sammy and her exceptional care and kindness to others. The family is especially grateful for the devoted support of her caregivers—Felicia, Ashleigh, Cathy, Anne, Kathy, and Rhonda—who became an integral part of her life and whose care allowed her to remain comfortable and filled with dignity in her final years.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 pm in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport. A private burial will take place, where Arlene will rest in peace, surrounded by the love of her family. Her legacy of compassion, faith, and resilience will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arlene’s memory to the Hillside Charitable Organization, PO Box 594, Newport, RI 02840, https://www.hillsidecharitable.org/. or to Southcoast Health at Home, https://www.southcoast.org/giving/.
