Arlene Louise Murray

Arlene L. Murray, 68, of New Providence, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025, after battling a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. Born in West Grove, PA on Friday, January 4, 1957, to the late Clyde and Anna Belle (Rowland) Dowell, she was the loving wife of Terrence L. Murray with whom she shared 34 years of marriage. 

 

She is survived by her five children: Dawn Sheets, Kenny Sheets Jr, Christopher Sheets, Terrence “TJ” Murray Jr, Reese Murray; nine grandchildren: Matthew Wade Jr, Alyssa Wade, Samantha Wade, Miranda Wade, McKenna Sheets, Paxton Sheets, Everett Sheets, Kenny Sheets III, Alex Sheets; five great grandchildren: Lily Pyott, Coralynn Rehm, Crystalynn Wade, Owen Wade, Avia Jackson; her sister Geraldine Lapaglia, her brother Eddy Dowell, and her half-sister Toni Smith; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Arelene was preceded in death by her brother Wayne Dowell, her sister Joyce Dowell-Brunke, and her brother Wesley Dowell.   

 

Her nearly 50-year career included farming jobs with Graybeal and Red Knob Farms, waitress, housekeeping, production work, 18 years as a machine mechanic with Exide Technologies Warehouse in Lampeter, her family-owned cleaning business, finishing off as a night custodian for Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. Five of these jobs she had the pleasure of working alongside her daughter, who was her best friend.

 

As an animal lover she owned many horses and participated in barrel and pole racing events in her younger years and enjoyed trail riding with her friends. She also loved dogs and had a kennel of her own at one time where she bred and sold many different breeds.

 

She was a lover of life and along with animals her favorites included drawing, crossword puzzles, word searches, knitting and crocheting, board and card games, bowling, cooking, and road trips. Family and friends meant the world to her and she loved spending time with them doing anything from vacations to the cabin, fishing trips in New York, and even the simpler quality time of thrift shops, yard sales, antique shops, and spontaneous road trips with her daughter. Spending time with family is where she found her joy through the holidays, birthdays, and random weekend cookouts where everyone enjoyed her famous pork ribs and homemade potato salad, not to mention her love and laughter.  She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

 

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.