Patricia Jane Rolph Arn died on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at the age of 98. Born in Toronto, Canada to Diamonda and Raymond Rolph on July 10, 1925. Mom attended High School at Havergal College in Toronto before her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she attended and graduated from Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights. She loved sports. She was an avid softball player, played goalie on her ice hockey team, and loved to swim. After high school mom’s family moved to Texas where she began nurses training at The University of Texas at Galveston. During her nursing education she met and married our dad, Edward C. Arn on April 16, 1948 in Dallas, Texas. They lived in Dallas and Philadelphia before moving to Wooster, OH in 1958. Our parents were married for nearly 58 years when our dad died in March of 2006. During the 1960’s mom and dad explored the world, traveling throughout Europe, The United Kingdom, Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, Canada and the United States. They were social beings and enjoyed entertaining, going to events and engaging with friends and alumni of The College of Wooster. Their homes at 430 Pearl Street and later at 2320 Burbank Rd. were nicknamed “The Oasis” as they often entertained, with adult beverages, at 5:00. Their door was always open to friends in town and visitors from afar.
Our mom was a force to be reckoned with, for sure, but her strength of conviction and follow through were also her super powers. She got things done. She moved mountains if necessary. She was a good citizen. Her list of accomplishments includes: Beall Avenue Elementary School PTA President or Co-President multiple times, Girl Scout Leader, Chair Person of the Wayne County Mothers March of Dimes, Cancer Drive Captain, Wooster Women’s Civic Club, member and Deacon of First Presbyterian Church, Wooster YMCA Swim Meet Score Keeper for many years, Swimming Instructor for Ida Sue School children, Friendship Force, American Legion Auxiliary Member and Officer, Emblem Club Member and Officer, Chair of the VFW Poppy Sales supporting Veterans of Foreign Wars for many many years. Mom was an expert seamstress and knitter. She took great pride in these activities and for many years she taught knitting classes evenings at the old Wooster High School.
We like to think our mom’s greatest accomplishment was birthing and raising 5 human beings to become good citizens and semi-productive adults. Pam, Tim, Heidi, Kit and Ben filled her life with joy, challenges and love. She taught us all to swim and ice skate proficiently. As children, we enjoyed great, month long, summer vacations at a rustic cottage on the shore of Lake Erie at Volunteers Bay, Ohio. Though meals were basic and we took cold showers by garden hose outside, neither she nor any of us were put off by this primitive wonderland of freedom. Mom worked holidays at Freedlander’s Department store each year to make sure we had magical Christmases. And magical they were.
Our mom especially valued being a grandmother to sixteen and great grandmother to fourteen. She was more than happy to “adopt” others outside the family. She enjoyed growing her family by establishing and sustaining ongoing loving relationships with several significant people. A shout out to Kathie Brenan and family, Jimmy and Diane Jones and family, TJ and Teresa Landis, Traud Haven, and Sue Froelich for being devoted friends to our mother.
Our mom lived a long and full life. We were fortunate to have had her in our lives for so long. All five of us were with her as she passed away peacefully at West View Healthy Living on February 4, 2024. We want to thank the staff at West View Healthy Living for giving our mother such kind and gracious care in her last few months of life. She was very content at West View and enjoyed being with people and engaging in activities. We’d also like to thank Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare for additional care in her final days. A Memorial Service for our mom will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Followed by a short social gathering. Private burial earlier that morning.
Anyone who knew the Arn Family when we lived at 430 Pearl Street will understand when we say, “It’s Winter, you should use the side door now”.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Yup, same at 437 Pearl, use the side door!! Sending love to you all!
I enjoyed visiting with your Mom whenever I came to visit mine since they were neighbors at West View. She was so interesting and funny! You five were very blessed and you know it. And we were too, by knowing her. RIP dear Pat.
I have so many cherished memories of growing up next to and spending time in the Arn home. Pat was such an important presence during my childhood and an enduring friend to my parents. Her passing marks an end to the Pearl St era. My deepest condolences.
What an honor to have grown up next door to the Arn’s! Pat Arn was a wonderful Lady in so many ways and an older and wise influence to our mother Betty. She had a strong personality , very social and friendly! Reading all the ways she served the Wooster community is humbling. She has journeyed on where I’ve no doubt she quickly heard “ Well done good and faithful servant!”
Our beloved neighbor and friend. We could not have found a better next door neighbor. We love all of the Arns so much and we have only the fondest memories of “Mrs. Arn”.
I am sad to see this, but happy for all the years you had together. I was part of Pam’s class at WHS, but knew lots of the family through the City Pool. Hugs to everyone.
Oh yes, “It’s Winter, you should use the side door now” was as much an indication of the changing of the seasons as the colder days, longer nights and snowy driveways in our neighborhood. Mrs. Arn was always kind and willing to offer a guiding hand. It was my honor to have grown in her presence. May she rest in eternal peace.
Please accept our sincere sympathy. We enjoyed knowing both Ed and Pat. Marj and Reg Kramer
So many memories of your Mom and swim meets.I loved coming to your house.She and your Dad were both blessings
Thoughts and prayers for the Arn family as you deal with your loss. (class of 68 @ WHS)
To the Arns particularly Heidi and Kit,
My condolence and prayers to all in the passing of your mom. She was of the great generation of women in Wooster. She and my mother became close their later years but neither stopped loving all, caring for their community, but most importantly loving their family. Celebrate her life!!
Thoughts, prayers but most of all love to you guys. It was a privilege to know your mom.
Ben, Kit and the Arn Family,
Our neighborhood was wonderful because of the parents that raised us. Your mom was a great part of many of our childhoods. I was truly sorry to read of her passing. What a beautiful tribute you all gave her. May you all feel the peace of God surround you during this difficult time. Matthew 25:23
My deepest condolences in the loss of your dear mother. A life well-lived; she was an amazing woman.
Condolences to all the family and a special hug with love to Pam from friends in Cypress, Texas, as we pray comfort and peace as you grieve and also celebrate your mom’s long life.
Heidi, Kit , Ben and the Arn family
So sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a great woman.
What a beautiful long life she had! She gave so much to this world, and you kids pass on her legacy of love. Thinking of you, Jane and Stu Sheard
I had the privilege of getting to know Pat when we joined First Presbyterian Church and, on another level completely, when she attended the College of Wooster Mens Basketball games, often arriving in a wheel chair with one or two of her sons by her side. My high school classmate and friend, Sue Froelich, shared recently that she introduced Pat to Chick-Fil-A and took meals to Pat on Mondays for them both, with Pat providing the wine. Knowing how much Sue enjoyed their time together, I sincerely hope the joy was mutual. Rest in Peace, dear Pat.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. You were blessed with 2 great parents both of whom touched many lives, including mine. While you mourn her loss I hope you can also find some time to celebrate all the great ways she made a difference in so many lives.
I used to give Ed a lot of harassment I told him he lived with the best looking women in all of Wooster. Pat was a special lady. I Will always remember her. I still have Ed’s book.
Your mom helped make our wonderful Pearl St. neighborhood just that: wonderful!
Thinking of you and sending you much love.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Kit, I have no doubt that you, your siblings, and extended family will continue to carry on her beautiful legacy.
Peace and love
In the 1960’s, Pat was a strict grand dame with a warm heart. I learned at the Arn’s that large families prepared toast in the oven. In later years, I liked to visit them on Burbank – the house with the College of Wooster flag. She and Ed made the community better. Condolences to all.
Heidi. Sorry for you and your family for the loss of your Mother. Hope you are all ok.
John and I send are deepest sympathies to the Arn family. Ed and Pat were dearly loved and respected by the Wooster community. We will be out of state on Friday.. Sorry we will miss seeing all the Arn kids. God bless and prayers to all.
Agreeing with some other comments on the wonderful tribute honoring your mother. It is a step back to “the good old days” reading about Pat. Interesting how so many neighborhoods had an anchor family with the Arn’s being the anchor of Pearl Street.
May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to hold and guide you each and everyday.
Kit and Family, please accept my deepest sympathy. While I knew your Dad better than your Mom, it is quite clear that your family was blessed to have two phenomenal parents who touched the lives of countless people.
Enjoy knowing your parents are together again in heaven rejoicing with the Lord, who undoubtedly told them “well done my good and faithful servants!”
To all the Arn family, particularly Heidi, Kit and Ben
What a wonderful, loving, caring lady your mother was! She was loved and admired by so many in our community! She will definitely be missed, but she rests now in the arms of the angels. The loss of a parent is a profoundly difficult time, yet a time to reflect back and celebrate her life. Time will help ease your hurt; your memories will let her live on in your hearts. Celebrate her!! Love to all!
Kit and family, We never had a chance to meet your Mom but it is quite clear that she was a remarkable lady and touched the lives of many throughout her life. My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Gary and Maureen
Remembering, when the Arn’s moved to Wooster, and Pam and I became best friends. Overnights at the Arn’s, showed me that Mrs. Arn, ran a “tight ship.” However, she was very welcoming to me, and I could see that she cared for, and loved her family deeply. She was a great woman, with many accomplishments to her name. Heartfelt condolences, to Pam, Tim, Heidi, Kit and Ben.
In memorial to Pat, a gift planting of a grove of 50 trees will be made this year via the Arbor Day Foundation. These trees will provide oxygen for 200 people, and “ Strong winds, disease, and insect damage have taken a major toll on the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota. Native trees are urgently needed here to help restore this forest for the people and animals who call it home.” – from COW pals of Kit’s (steve shaw, Jeff Jae, mark seker)
I am so sorry to learn of Pat Arn’s passing. I knew her for decades and was pleased to have Kit and Heidi in my class at WHS. She was such a nice lady and would have come to the Memorial, if able ,to see her children. RIP , Pat.
What a wonderful tribute to your Mom’s legacy. As Lonnie said a life well lived.
My condolences to Kit and the entire Arn family.
Thanks to Scott for making me aware of your Moms passing Kit.
Ben and siblings – just found this info. I am sorry for your loss. I don’t know you all, but the one I do know, turned out to be a heckuva guy! Your parents did a great job! Your mom sounded like a wonderful person! I will think of you!
Christopher ( Kit ) Arn was my boss, I just found out about his mother’s passing this morning, my heart snuck. The days I would go into work and he would have new stories about her, or how he was going to visit her. I loved hearing about Pat, she seemed liked a super woman!
Dear Arn family: I am sitting here with tears…something made me think of your folks, who were friends seen infrequently by my parents here in the Cleveland area, Sam and Lorraine Rosner. I think they had met on a cruise they had taken….In a strange coincidence, I must share the my beloved mom passed away here at home, on the very same day as your mom. Our mom was 101. She had developed dementia over the years, and was in hospice. Officially her date was made the 4th because by time the hospice nurse arrived, it was just past midnight. Dad passed away just about a year earlier, though she was seemingly unaware…the only blessing of the dementia, she was spared mourning his loss, and dad was spared hers although I’m sure he mourned her loss long before with the loss of her companionship when she became more bedbound. I feel like mom and dad caught up with your folks in San Antonio…and regret I had no idea of your mom’s Toronto roots, as that has been what I consider my “other” home. Have not visited in many years wanting to be available to help my own mom and dad and not be so far if something happened. Dad passed just a couple days from mom, but in 2023. He was 105 and I’m sure our parents also connected being that dad was a WWII veteran. Interestingly, I will have to check, but I believe our attorney, Laurie Steiner, met her husband, who passed away last fall, when they were going to the College of Wooster.
My outstanding memories of your folks are your dad’s hearty laugh and jovial spirit and ability to tell a story, and your mom…what a force. I remember one time they were here for coffee and dessert and we were in the kitchen, and your mother was near irate having witnessed my unacceptable behavior of opening our refrigerator by using my hands/fingers on the side of the door, not the handle. She let into me. My mom was quick to explain that actually I was doing that for good reason: my dear uncle willie had been visiting at some point, and when he yanked on the handle….the handle came off in his hands! It was rather laughable at the time…we glued it back, but the glue didn’t hold well….so those of us who knew would avoid the handle…So I got a taste of the force she was, but god bless those of the greatest generation…they don’t make em like our folks any more and in many ways it’s too bad. I would have loved to consult with your mom as I wanted to make a wreath for our front door using the veteran poppies. The days pass but I miss them both terribly, especially as I have lived with them for years….I’m sure we drove each other crazy, but the love of family never dies….Take good care,