Arlene Bertrand

Arlene Patricia Bertrand

Arlene Bertrand, age 87, died May 31, 2020, in Enumclaw, Washington with her daughter by her side.  She was born on August 1, 1932 in Carbonado, Washington to Harry and Dorothy Mickey.  Her father worked in the mines there until the family moved to Sumner where they started Mickey Trucking.  Arlene spent her childhood in Sumner and graduated from Sumner High School in 1951.  It was soon after that she met and fell in love with Lee Bertrand while he was serving his country in the Army.  The two were married in February of 1953 in Basile, Louisiana.  Before long, their family began to grow.  They had three sons, James, Michael, and Carl, and a daughter, Karen.  Together they laid down roots in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Lee worked long hard hours for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Plant where he was a supervisor.  Arlene worked for the Calcasieu Parish School District in the cafeteria.  As the kids grew, they participated in sports and Arlene found herself at most every game, cheering from her chair in the grass or from the stands.  She loved watching them.  Arlene and Lee retired in 1986, and with that they moved to Washington state to be closer to the family she had been missing.  It was a promise Lee had made when they married and kept all those years later.  Arlene was active in the Enumclaw Senior Center, calling bingo for years and cooking a feast every Mardi Gras.  It was such a fun and anticipated day for all!  She also loved her Mariners, watched them faithfully, and knew each player by name along with their positions on the field.  She even knew some of their averages!  Her greatest love of all was her family, here at home as well as her beloved Canadian kin.  She loved us and we knew it.  Arlene loved all of our BBQs, holidays, and drop by visits.  She simply loved us, and we loved her.  She is the example of how love lives on.

Arlene is survived by her sons James (Debbie) and Carl; daughter Karen; grandchildren Brian (Tia), Michael (Maggie), and Allana; great grandchildren Kylee, Kendra, Kayden, and Beckham; sisters Judy and Lenore (Jim); and sister-in-law Debbie.  Arlene will forever be remembered by her multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She is preceded in death by her dear son Michael; her beloved husband Lee; her parents Harry and Dorothy; and her brothers Dennis, Sidney, and Chuck.

Our family would like to thank Cascade Place for giving Arlene the home for which she had been longing.  Her heart was so full, so content, and joyful while she lived with all of you.  We, as her family, will never be able to put into words the deep, heartfelt gratitude we have for that gift you gave to her… and to us.  Thank you.

We would also like to thank Weeks’ Funeral Home for extending love, kindness, and compassion during such unusual and trying circumstances.  You always seem to know exactly what is needed at exactly the right moment.  We came in with broken hearts and left feeling like it just might be okay with your hands in ours.  Thank you for everything.

A private gathering of Arlene’s family will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at Weeks’ Funeral Home in Buckley, Washington.

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