Arlene M. Corsiglia's Obituary
Arlene Mae (Priestley) Corsiglia, age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025 at St. George Village Retirement Community in Roswell, GA. She was prayerfully surrounded by family. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A. Corsiglia, Sr. (2017), their sons, Louis A. Corsiglia, Jr. (2007) and Anthony M. Corsiglia (1981).
In addition, Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Melvin R. Priestley and Genevieve L. (Jackovatz) Priestley, her brothers Arthur Priestley (twin) and Jerry Priestley, her sisters-in-law Patricia (Corsiglia) Borchers and Eleanor (Corsiglia) Gietzen, and brothers-in-law Fred Borchers, Harold Gietzen, and Dr. Thomas Tully.
Arlene was born a fraternal twin on February 6, 1933 to Melvin Raymond Priestley and Genevieve Louise (Jackovatz) Priestley in Flint, MI. She graduated from Flint Northern High School and Nazareth College/St. Joseph School of Nursing (Kalamazoo, MI) in 1954. She was a long-time resident of Flint, MI until she graduated from Nursing School. Arlene worked as an operating room nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Flint, MI and then St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.
Arlene was a convert to Catholicism in her teen years. Growing up, Arlene and her family spent weekends on her Priestley grandparents’ farm in Milford, MI with her parents and brothers. She recalled learning to drive on the farmland at the age of 14, helping with housework and farm work, especially milking goats and cows.
In 1956, Arlene and Lou (from Grand Rapids, MI) were married at St. Michael’s Catholic Church (Flint, MI). They shared a loving marriage and were blessed with 6 children. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. The couple spent 6 years in Centerville, OH, 15 years in Fairport, NY and “snow-bird” retiring in Spring Lake, MI and Ft. Myers, FL for 21 years.
In 1977, the family moved to Fairport, NY. After the sudden death of their son, Tony, Arlene assisted parents who lost children by way of forming a Compassionate Friends Support Group, Chapter at St. John of Rochester Catholic Church in Fairport, NY. She consoled many bereaved parents there for 11 years.
In 2013, the couple moved to Roswell, GA to be closer to their daughters and enjoyed day-to-day activities with family. In 2014, they moved to St. George Village. Arlene enjoyed over 10 years there. Until recently, she participated in daily exercise classes, musical and social activities, as well daily Mass and Rosary.
Arlene always enjoyed exercise, yoga, walking, knitting, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, playing double solitaire, and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed walking around the lake at St. George and feeding the fish. Most afternoons, she could be found on a bench outside, soaking in the sunshine, listening to the birds and enjoying the fountains.
Arlene enjoyed cooking and baking. She is known for making ravioli, spaghetti sauce, homemade white bread, cinnamon rolls, pepperoni bread, and molasses cookies. Her recipes are endless. She enjoyed sharing her recipes by cooking and baking with you. Arlene also enjoy traveling, especially to see family, as well as Notre Dame Football games with Veits Landing (Spring Lake, MI) friends.
Arlene is survived by 4 remaining children: Anne M. Corsiglia Gunning, Dunwoody, GA, Genevieve M. (Dr. Michael L.) Ruppenthal, Roswell, GA, Ted A. Corsiglia (Lisa J.), Dayton, OH, Jon P. (Tracy M. Leaman) Corsiglia, Pleasanton, CA, and daughter-in-law A. Louise (Sims) Corsiglia (widow of Louis, Jr.), Hilton Head Island, SC. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Thomas George Gunning, Andrew Michael Gunning, Mary Catherine Gunning, Matthew Anthony Corsiglia, Rachel Lauren (Corsiglia) Bolander, Mark Louis Ruppenthal, Kennedy Ellis Corsiglia, and Milo Fitzgerald Corsiglia. Arlene was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren: James Rook Corsiglia, Celia Paige Bolander, Leo Matthew Corsiglia, and Jolie Emerson Bolander. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Katie (Priestley) Gibbs, (Huntersville, NC), Ann (Priestley) Mitchell (Asheville, NC), Carole Priestley (Oceanside, CA), and Vicki (Corsiglia) Tully (Lake Forest, IL) as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff and her friends at St. George Village and to Capstone Hospice which provided care in her final days. Arlene’s family is also extremely grateful for the loving care she received from “her lady friends” that visited her daily.
Arlene was a member of St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Roswell, GA for 12 years.
Friends and family are invited to gather at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA, 30075 on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. lead by Rev. Msgr. Paul Fogarty, St. George Village. Following will be a small reception at 4:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 406 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. William R. Vander Werff celebrating Mass. Friends may meet the family at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, The Spring Lake Chapel, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 on Friday, January 24, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m.
All are welcome to enjoy a reception following the funeral Mass. Immediately following the reception, Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI with Deacon Jerry Roersma, Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI officiating.
As Arlene enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as an appreciation for Catholic Education, Memorial contributions to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 406 E. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456 are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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