Obituary of Arlene C. O'Rourke

Arlene C. O’Rourke, 81, of Freehold Borough passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Wedgwood Gardens, Freehold. She was born in South Amboy, grew up in Marlboro, and also lived in Freehold and Hightstown before settling in Freehold Borough 15 years ago.  Arlene worked as Treasurer for the Borough of Hightstown for over 20 years.  She loved working with children and spent many years as a Crossing Guard and a parent volunteer at school.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, and could spend hours watching birds and tending to her gardens; she even planted butterfly bushes throughout her yard to attract Monarchs.  Arlene found the most joy spending time with her grandchildren, antiquing with her daughter, listening to music, and going to concerts.  You would find her listening to Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Bruce Springsteen while tending to the house.  Above all, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt.

She was predeceased by her parents, Judson and Sophie Clark, and husband, Thomas Patrick O’Rourke, Sr.  Arlene is survived by her daughter, Terri O’Rourke of Freehold Borough; son, Thomas O’Rourke, Jr. and his wife, Ericka and grandchildren, Tiernan and Skyler O’Rourke of New Harbor, Maine; siblings, Judson Clark, Jr., Gary Clark, Sr., and Nancy Russell; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 3:00 to 6:30 PM with her funeral service to begin at 6:30 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Funeral Home on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM for the procession to her interment taking place in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 480 Red Hill Road, Middletown Township, NJ 07748 - https://giving.mskcc.org or to Freehold Emergency Medical Services, 18 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 - https://www.freeholdems.org/donate   For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com