Obituary for Arlene Stacey
ARLENE STACEY
October 30,1954 - May 21, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Sheila Arlene Stacey on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the age of 67.
Cherished wife of Jim Ritchie and loving mom to her fur baby, a dog guide named Gerry, Arlene had recently retired as managing editor of Zoomer magazine.
Born in Come By Chance, Newfoundland to Fred (deceased) and Irene Stacey on October 30, 1954, Arlene moved with her parents and older sister, the late Glenda Bruynson to Bramalea, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1975 and then secured her teaching certificate. With no teaching jobs available, she worked as a real estate receptionist in midtown Toronto before securing a job in the magazine business, where she would excel in various positions for almost 40 years.
Arlene began her magazine career as a copy editor in the food department of Canadian Living magazine. Very quickly, she demonstrated her skills as a meticulous, knowledgeable editor, becoming a valuable asset to the publishing world. While at Canadian Living, she was often ‘borrowed’ by other magazines, such as EatingWell and Harrowsmith Country Life, to troubleshoot or fill in as temporary editor. She also did a stint at the book publishing company, Grosvenor House Press. But she was always pulled back to Canadian Living, where her primary role was managing editor.
Along with other editors, she was instrumental in launching a charitable organization called Breakfast for Learning. After leaving Canadian Living, Arlene was managing editor for SOCAN, a music management and promotion company in Toronto. She spent her final 20 working years as managing editor for Zoomer magazine, formerly 50Plus (CARP).
A journalist fiercely dedicated to the fine details of her work, Arlene is fondly remembered for her unflappable nature, her kindness and her sense of fun. Colleagues in the magazine business appreciated her approachability and sense of humour in a world where deadlines and budgets were often restraining factors. She touched many lives with her positivity, warmth and infectious smile.
With her soulmate and husband Jim, Arlene enjoyed a relaxed pace in their Hastings home and their cottage in Haliburton, cooking exotic dishes, sampling fine wines, devouring good books, puttering in the garden and taking long walks with Gerry. Jim and Arlene would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this September.
She will also be dearly missed by her mother, Irene Stacey, nephews Blair Yarranton (Tara) and Geoff Yarranton (Dipika Munyal). Arlene will be fondly remembered by her great-nieces and great-nephews, Jaryn, Max, Miles and Mila.
A private celebration of life for family and close friends will be held in late July. Arrangements are entrusted to Brett Funeral Chapels Ltd., Hastings. Condolences at: www.brettfuneralchapels.com. The family would appreciate donations in Arlene’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (www.dogguides.com) 1-800-768-3030.
October 30,1954 - May 21, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Sheila Arlene Stacey on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the age of 67.
Cherished wife of Jim Ritchie and loving mom to her fur baby, a dog guide named Gerry, Arlene had recently retired as managing editor of Zoomer magazine.
Born in Come By Chance, Newfoundland to Fred (deceased) and Irene Stacey on October 30, 1954, Arlene moved with her parents and older sister, the late Glenda Bruynson to Bramalea, Ontario. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1975 and then secured her teaching certificate. With no teaching jobs available, she worked as a real estate receptionist in midtown Toronto before securing a job in the magazine business, where she would excel in various positions for almost 40 years.
Arlene began her magazine career as a copy editor in the food department of Canadian Living magazine. Very quickly, she demonstrated her skills as a meticulous, knowledgeable editor, becoming a valuable asset to the publishing world. While at Canadian Living, she was often ‘borrowed’ by other magazines, such as EatingWell and Harrowsmith Country Life, to troubleshoot or fill in as temporary editor. She also did a stint at the book publishing company, Grosvenor House Press. But she was always pulled back to Canadian Living, where her primary role was managing editor.
Along with other editors, she was instrumental in launching a charitable organization called Breakfast for Learning. After leaving Canadian Living, Arlene was managing editor for SOCAN, a music management and promotion company in Toronto. She spent her final 20 working years as managing editor for Zoomer magazine, formerly 50Plus (CARP).
A journalist fiercely dedicated to the fine details of her work, Arlene is fondly remembered for her unflappable nature, her kindness and her sense of fun. Colleagues in the magazine business appreciated her approachability and sense of humour in a world where deadlines and budgets were often restraining factors. She touched many lives with her positivity, warmth and infectious smile.
With her soulmate and husband Jim, Arlene enjoyed a relaxed pace in their Hastings home and their cottage in Haliburton, cooking exotic dishes, sampling fine wines, devouring good books, puttering in the garden and taking long walks with Gerry. Jim and Arlene would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this September.
She will also be dearly missed by her mother, Irene Stacey, nephews Blair Yarranton (Tara) and Geoff Yarranton (Dipika Munyal). Arlene will be fondly remembered by her great-nieces and great-nephews, Jaryn, Max, Miles and Mila.
A private celebration of life for family and close friends will be held in late July. Arrangements are entrusted to Brett Funeral Chapels Ltd., Hastings. Condolences at: www.brettfuneralchapels.com. The family would appreciate donations in Arlene’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (www.dogguides.com) 1-800-768-3030.