Charlene (Murphy) Arena

Charlene (Murphy) Arena passed away unexpectedly on December 16th 2024 in her home in Venice Florida at 83 years of age. Survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Arena, four children, Robin and her husband Kevin Harvey, Bobby Arena and wife Jennifer, Dan and wife Helen, and Casey and wife Erin and 8 grandchildren, Natalie, Brandon, Gabrielle, James, Elle, Trevor, Daniel, and Nathan.

Charlene was born in Newburyport Massachusetts on August 25th 1941 to her parents Charles and Charlotte Murphy, and grew up on the North Shore of Boston with her brother Charles Murphy (all deceased). Charlene and Bob became high school sweethearts at Lynn English and have been married for 68 years. Their love for each other was an inspiration to all that met them. Their devotion to each other was beautiful to see. They raised their family in both Manchester-by-the-Sea and later moved to Beverly Cove.

Charlene was a Salem State College Graduate. She taught at Horace Mann as part of her student teaching, became an art teacher at Salem High School and later taught for the Beverly School system and loved teaching kids how to paint and draw and inspired them to express their own creativity and style. Charlene was a very gifted artist, she loved and created many beautiful watercolors, wood carvings, and oil paintings. She was a member of both the Beverly and Venice Art League. In her retirement, she traveled through Europe, exploring all of the art and culture.

Charlene and Bob moved to Venice Florida in 2016 to be near the grandchildren whom she was devoted to and attended every event from school concerts, graduations, and sporting events, amongst many trips to local ice cream shops. Charlene and Bob summered in Amesbury MA which she continued to make the trip every year until her passing, celebrating her 83rd birthday in Massachusetts. She treasured her time there and enjoyed afternoons beachside, lake sunsets, nights out to dinner with family, and trips to Hodgies Ice Cream.

Charlene loved to connect with the community, as an avid concert goer, attending the Venice symphony and Beverly Music Theater for many years. She was part of the Red Hats Club on the Northshore of MA making great friendships. She was also a lover of 4th of July parades, and Beverly Homecomings with family and friends.

Charlene was an extraordinarily kind, gentle, and loving woman to all who knew her. She loved the ocean and going to the beach. Charlene enjoyed literature, often reading multiple books a week. Unknown to most, she was an incredible matchmaker and matched at least 3 sets of couples who are all married to this day. She was an amazingly talented baker who was known for her famous pies. Nothing seemed to get her down as she was able to take all of what life had to offer in stride and make the most out of every situation. Her unwavering faith gave comfort in times of trouble and she never held back telling those she loved that she loved them. Her positivity is what we all strive for and her kind-heartedness was felt by all those who knew her. Her beautifully sparkling blue eyes and warm smile were unforgettable and she will be greatly missed.