Mildred Arlene Austin Sikes, 97, born on Jan. 28, 1920 and died on Aug. 24, 2017. She was the daughter of Fred and Lillian (LaFountain) Austin and the sister of Jeanette Walker and Ruth Stiles. Married in 1944 to Arthur M. Sikes, her husband predeceased her in 2012. Arlene was a lifelong resident of Suffield, and the ninth generation of Austin family members to live in the town. She graduated from Suffield Academy in 1939 and was a member of the Second Baptist Church for 84 years.
She was an avid birdwatcher, identifying the birds by both sight and song and contributing annually to the Hartford Audubon bird count. Walking on the nature trails of both her property and Jesse Fowler Smith Town Forest, she readily identified the local wildflowers and animal residents. She was well traveled and visited all fifty states during her life, as well as the Canadian provinces. Traveling with her husband Arthur, she also journeyed throughout Mexico and, at 80 years old, ventured from Connecticut to the Panama Canal. Arlene excelled at duplicate bridge, enjoying both the strategy and camaraderie of the game. She was also skilled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting and quilting and donated her handicrafts to the Christmas Church bazaar and local emergency aid groups.
Arlene and Arthur had five children: Arthur M. Sikes Jr. (Bev), Austin C. Sikes, Bruce W. Sikes (Julie), Thomas P. Sikes (Sue), and Joanne Neilson (Glenn). She also had five grandchildren: Jennifer L. Harlow, Sara B. Sikes, Christopher A. Sikes, Amanda J. Moore, and William E. Sikes. She had four great grandchildren: Krycia G. Harlow, Samuel A. Sikes, James C. Harlow, and Russell W. Harlow III. Know affectionately as "Dee-Dee," Arlene was surrounded by her extended family and shared many happy holiday traditions over her long and fruitful life.
She was an avid birdwatcher, identifying the birds by both sight and song and contributing annually to the Hartford Audubon bird count. Walking on the nature trails of both her property and Jesse Fowler Smith Town Forest, she readily identified the local wildflowers and animal residents. She was well traveled and visited all fifty states during her life, as well as the Canadian provinces. Traveling with her husband Arthur, she also journeyed throughout Mexico and, at 80 years old, ventured from Connecticut to the Panama Canal. Arlene excelled at duplicate bridge, enjoying both the strategy and camaraderie of the game. She was also skilled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting and quilting and donated her handicrafts to the Christmas Church bazaar and local emergency aid groups.
Arlene and Arthur had five children: Arthur M. Sikes Jr. (Bev), Austin C. Sikes, Bruce W. Sikes (Julie), Thomas P. Sikes (Sue), and Joanne Neilson (Glenn). She also had five grandchildren: Jennifer L. Harlow, Sara B. Sikes, Christopher A. Sikes, Amanda J. Moore, and William E. Sikes. She had four great grandchildren: Krycia G. Harlow, Samuel A. Sikes, James C. Harlow, and Russell W. Harlow III. Know affectionately as "Dee-Dee," Arlene was surrounded by her extended family and shared many happy holiday traditions over her long and fruitful life.
Mildred Arlene Austin Sikes, 97, born on Jan. 28, 1920 and died on Aug. 24, 2017. She was the daughter of Fred and Lillian (LaFountain) Austin and the sister of Jeanette Walker and Ruth Stiles. Married in 1944 to Arthur M. Sikes, her husband predeceased her in 2012. Arlene was a lifelong resident of Suffield, and the ninth generation of Austin family members to live in the town. She graduated from Suffield Academy in 1939 and was a member of the Second Baptist Church for 84 years.
She was an avid birdwatcher, identifying the birds by both sight and song and contributing annually to the Hartford Audubon bird count. Walking on the nature trails of both her property and Jesse Fowler Smith Town Forest, she readily identified the local wildflowers and animal residents. She was well traveled and visited all fifty states during her life, as well as the Canadian provinces. Traveling with her husband Arthur, she also journeyed throughout Mexico and, at 80 years old, ventured from Connecticut to the Panama Canal. Arlene excelled at duplicate bridge, enjoying both the strategy and camaraderie of the game. She was also skilled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting and quilting and donated her handicrafts to the Christmas Church bazaar and local emergency aid groups.
Arlene and Arthur had five children: Arthur M. Sikes Jr. (Bev), Austin C. Sikes, Bruce W. Sikes (Julie), Thomas P. Sikes (Sue), and Joanne Neilson (Glenn). She also had five grandchildren: Jennifer L. Harlow, Sara B. Sikes, Christopher A. Sikes, Amanda J. Moore, and William E. Sikes. She had four great grandchildren: Krycia G. Harlow, Samuel A. Sikes, James C. Harlow, and Russell W. Harlow III. Know affectionately as "Dee-Dee," Arlene was surrounded by her extended family and shared many happy holiday traditions over her long and fruitful life.
She was an avid birdwatcher, identifying the birds by both sight and song and contributing annually to the Hartford Audubon bird count. Walking on the nature trails of both her property and Jesse Fowler Smith Town Forest, she readily identified the local wildflowers and animal residents. She was well traveled and visited all fifty states during her life, as well as the Canadian provinces. Traveling with her husband Arthur, she also journeyed throughout Mexico and, at 80 years old, ventured from Connecticut to the Panama Canal. Arlene excelled at duplicate bridge, enjoying both the strategy and camaraderie of the game. She was also skilled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting and quilting and donated her handicrafts to the Christmas Church bazaar and local emergency aid groups.
Arlene and Arthur had five children: Arthur M. Sikes Jr. (Bev), Austin C. Sikes, Bruce W. Sikes (Julie), Thomas P. Sikes (Sue), and Joanne Neilson (Glenn). She also had five grandchildren: Jennifer L. Harlow, Sara B. Sikes, Christopher A. Sikes, Amanda J. Moore, and William E. Sikes. She had four great grandchildren: Krycia G. Harlow, Samuel A. Sikes, James C. Harlow, and Russell W. Harlow III. Know affectionately as "Dee-Dee," Arlene was surrounded by her extended family and shared many happy holiday traditions over her long and fruitful life.
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