Arlene Susan Hillman Shank
February 28, 1947 - January 30, 2026
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Arlene Susan Hillman Shank
February 28, 1947 - January 30, 2026
Obituary
Arlene Susan Hillman Shank lived a full and beautiful life. Her love of family was a driving force, as was her passion for teaching and, later, traveling. She died on January 30, 2026, with her loved ones by her side. Born in Coatesville, PA, on February 28, 1947, she was the daughter of Evelyn Riebman and Herman Hillman and the devoted sister of her late brother, Andrew, and late sister, Sarah Leah. She later met the love of her life, Jerry Shank, on a blind date and married soon thereafter. Together, they lived in Hatboro, PA, where Arlene taught second grade students at Davisville Elementary School in Southampton for over 30 years. She dedicated her time to her family, students and her dear “Forever Friends Group” who she met early on in her teaching career and carried with her throughout life. Her son, Jonathan, his wife, Mindi, and grandsons, Owen and Levi, lit up her life and brought endless joy. She treasured her relationships with her nieces and nephew and relished opportunities to celebrate holidays and life’s big moments with her extended family. After moving to the West Coast in retirement, she cultivated beautiful friendships in the Laguna Woods community over the last decade, where she enjoyed playing mah jong, participating at Temple, and advocating for human rights. She loved reading and playing word games, attending live music events, and discovered a talent for painting. Arlene found happiness being with her friends and family, cooking, visiting national parks, spending time in her garden, and enjoying the outdoors in the warm southern California sunshine. She generously shared her love and hugs with so many. May her memory be a blessing to all who had the pleasure and good fortune to know her.
We will honor her memory and celebrate her life at 2 PM (Pacific Time) on Friday, February 6 at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Sarah Leah Hillman McKinley Scholarship Fund, 1445 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
To view Arlene’s Memorial Ceremony virtually, please use the link below:
Memorial Ceremony
- Date & Time: February 6, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Venue: O'Connor Mortuary Chapel
- Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 581-4300
Sarah Leah Hillman McKinley Scholarship Fund
- Address: 1445 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320 - (Get Directions)
11 responses to Arlene Susan Hillman Shank
Darcel Kleiman says:
February 6, 2026
Fifty four years ago, I met Arlene. I was a new first grade teacher and she was a second grade teacher at Davis Elementary School. She welcomed me and we became fast friends. We went out socially with our husbands and then with our children. I remember sharing a rental property in Ocean City and in the poconos where Jonathan and my daughter Shara learned to ski. Throughout the years we shared many happy times together whether it was a Super Bowl party , a parade in Hatboro, or a Sunday brunch at her house. She taught me how to cook and I still have some recipes with her handwriting. I am beyond sad to hear of her passing and I am crying as I write this. I am one of her Forever Friends and I shall never forget her.