Arlene Joyce Hart, age 93, passed away on April 17 following a short illness.
Born on Aug. 28, 1932, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Rhea (Nackenoff) and Abe Meyer, she was raised in Manilla, Iowa, where her father owned a grocery store. Her family returned to Omaha when she was a teenager, and she attended and graduated from Central High School. Her college years were spent studying elementary education, initially at the University of Iowa, then graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree. She taught school in Omaha briefly before marriage to her beloved husband, Charles, in 1956. They made their home initially in Kansas City, then Overland Park, Kansas, where he practiced dentistry and they welcomed two children, Richard and Robyn.
Eventually returning to her love of education, in the early 1970s she sought and earned a master’s degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in reading education and learning disabilities. This led to a 20+ year career tutoring children with special needs, including the newly recognized disorder of dyslexia. She took great pride in watching her students reach their full potential and become productive members of society.
Love of cooking and especially baking kept her busy and her family and friends well-fed. She rarely met a stranger and enjoyed volunteering with many Jewish women’s organizations, including her WD-39 group and Brandeis University National Women’s Committee. She enjoyed active involvement with the Sigma Delta Tau alumnae chapter in Kansas City. She was a past member of Meadowbrook Country Club and a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah since the late 1950s. Arlene loved a fun and competitive game of mahjongg and enjoyed guiding her granddaughter Alex in learning the game. She remained interested in politics and current events and never missed an opportunity to share her thoughts and opinions.
She was especially proud of her children, her two grandchildren and her 20-month-old great-granddaughter. She continued to enjoy life after the loss of her husband in 2006, and eventually moved to Town Village of Leawood in 2017. There, she quickly became reacquainted with old friends, made new friends and especially enjoyed the various activities. She was always so welcoming to new residents, making sure they had a place at the dining table and a friend with whom to talk.
She was predeceased by her parents, as well as her husband, Dr. Charles Hart, and a brother, Gerald Meyer. She is survived by her son, Dr. Richard Hart; daughter, Robyn Katsorelos (Tony); grandchildren, Alexandra McAndrew (Michael) and Austin Katsorelos (Kelsey); great-granddaughter, Hadley Katsorelos; as well as many friends at Town Village, throughout Kansas City and elsewhere.
Graveside services were held on April 20 at Rose Hill Cemetery.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, or a charity dear to your heart.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.