Arlene Z., 83, of Woodmere, NY has devoted her life to helping others improve their own lives. She began her 40-year educational career as a teacher and moved into school administration, retiring after serving as the Vice Principal at Lawrence Middle School in Long Island, NY. She has influenced generations of New York families and is greeted with exclamations of joy from former students when out in the community.
After a short attempt at retirement, she launched another career as a phobia counselor. She provided an exceptional level of care for her patients, even traveling with them to help overcome their phobias when necessary. After 10 years as a counselor, her husband became ill and she left her work to become his caregiver. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2009 after 55 years of marriage. Not content to remain stagnant, Arlene now volunteers three days a week at the Jewish Community Center helping with support groups for Holocaust survivors, such as widows and those affected by Alzheimer’s. In 2012, she received the prestigious “Spirit” award for her commitment to volunteerism.
Married at the Astoria in the 1950s, Arlene and her husband’s honeymoon was spent touring favorite New York City sites, such as the Plaza Hotel and Central Park. Wish of a Lifetime granted Arlene’s Wish of spending a special family weekend in New York City. Her family celebrated Arlene’s legacy by revisiting places frequented by the family the weekend of June 7th and 8th 2014.
