Arlene F. (Watersl Stanton, passed away at the Wingate at Reading Nursing Center on January 13, 2017 with her family by her side. Arlene was the daughter of Frederick and Leila Waters of Bradford, Vt. She was the beloved wife of Thomas F. Stanton in which they shared 58 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of eight children, Frank Stanton of Melrose, Frederick Stanton and his wife Maureen of Pelham, NH, Priscilla Pennacchio and her husband Frank of Melrose, Thomas Stanton and his wife Elizabeth of Lowell. Robert Stanton and his wife Kim of Revere, Ellen Stanton of Melrose, Michael Stanton and his wife Andrea of Salem, NH and Lily Houghton and her husband Jay of Townsend. Cherished grandmother of David, Brian, Steven, James, Mark, Allison, Jennifer, Matthew, Andrew, Angela, Kevin, Christopher & Kathryn. Great grandmother of Aidan & Brian. Arlene was the sister of the late Leah Goodhue and Doreen Clancy. She was a loving aunt to many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as a host of cousins and friends. Arlene was born in Boston and lived in Everett before moving to Melrose during her elementary School years. She graduated from Melrose class of 1942. Arlene attended Massachusetts College of art and secretarial school. She worked at Russcraft in Boston, MA. ln 1951 she married Tom and they lived in South Weymouth for a few years before settling back in Melrose, raising their eight children. Arlene worked a variety of jobs as she raised her children. She retired from the Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose where she worked with her husband Tom who was the superintendant. Arlene and Tom enjoyed retirement and it afforded her the opportunity to get back to painting and spending time with her grandchildren. A highlight for them was traveling to lreland for their 4Oth anniversary Arlene attended art classes at the Milano Center in Melrose, focusing of watercolor landscapes. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Melrose and a member of the Ladies Sodailty. Arlene was a talented seamstress has been known to save many a bridesmaid's dress at the last minute, as well as costumes for school plays. She could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear! She will be missed by many. Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Jan. 17th from 4-7PM. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 18th at 8:45AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Melrose Veterans Relief Fund, c/o Melrose City Hall, Attn: Veterans Services, 562 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176 or St. Mary's Church, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose, MA 02176.