Arlene Carnachan

Arlene Louise Carnachan, 99, of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully with her daughter Louise by her side on June 3, 2023, in the Willows at Heath Village Retirement Center.

Arlene was born on March 21,1924 in Dunellen, NJ to the late Arthur and Ellen S. Graham. She was the youngest of three children.

In 1946, at the age of twenty-two, Arlene boarded a train for Los Angeles never expecting to stay more than a year, yet she remained for thirty-two years. She married Robert Shaw Carnachan, Jr. in 1948 and they settled in Whittier, California. Their only child, Louise, was born in 1953. When the marriage ended, Arlene’s love of reading led her to obtain training as a library assistant. She was employed in the children’s department of the Alhambra Public Library for a number of years.

Returning to New Jersey in 1978, Arlene went to work in the library at Miles Laboratories. When the company merged with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, she moved to Connecticut and advanced to the position of Administrator, Clinical Information. She played an important role in the maintenance of documentation for the FDA approval process. After retiring in 1991, she continued to enjoy international travel. In 1999 she moved into one of the Heath Village cottages where she enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the grounds. Eventually, she moved into Mayflower House and most recently the Willows. She was fond of the staff and appreciated learning about their lives. Until the end, she continued to enjoy reading the NYT, watching political coverage, and doing crossword puzzles as well as coloring.

Arlene is survived by her loving daughter, Louise Carnachan, three caring nieces, Karen Bren, Joanne Wyckoff, and Mary Wyckoff. She also leaves behind her great-niece, Meredith Bren Garcia, and two great-nephews Kevin Fried and Jesse Fried. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Wallis and Ellen.

No services have been planned at this time. Donations to honor Arlene may be made in her name to the Friendship Fund at Heath Village.

To send an online condolence please visit www.maguire-scalamemorialhome.com.