Arlene Murtha

Arlene Murtha 80, of Stony Brook passed away Saturday November 13th after a long and valiant battle with cancer.  Arlene was born in New York City to Helen and Arthur J. Charbonneau and raised in Woodside, NY.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years Gilbert J. Murtha III of the FDNY.  She is survived by her sister Joanne Walsh (wife of the late Patrick Walsh) and her four children Helene (Joseph Dooley), Dianne (Michael Fitzpatrick), John (Deborah) and Neil (Jodi), her 9 grandchildren; Brian, Macklin, Caroline, Devan, Jack, Emily, Joseph, Kendall and Meghan and 8 nieces and nephews.  Arlene attended Saint Joseph’s College in Patchogue (where she later taught as an adjunct professor) and earned her Master’s in Social Work at SUNY Stony Brook.  Her social work career afforded her many opportunities to help children and families on Long Island.  Arlene served as the Director of Early Intervention at Alternatives for Children for much of her career.  Arlene was an avid Bunco and Mahjong player and a “snow bird” to N. Fort Myers FL.  Arlene helped out in many volunteer roles over the course of her life; from PTA, to Girl Scout leader to respite worker and most recently Three Village Meals on Wheels.  Visitation will be held at Bryant Funeral home in East Setauket on Tuesday 11/16 2-4 & 7-9 and Wednesday 11/17 2-4 & 7-9.  Religious services will be held at St. James RC Church on Thursday 11/18/21 at 9:30 am and interment will follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.  Donations in Arlene’s memory can be made to Alternative’s for Children, 14 Research Way, East Setauket, NY  11733 www.alternatives4children.org