Obituary of Arlene C. Learn

(Evalyn) Arlene Cope Learn, 91, of Catharine went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 7, 2023. She was born in Montour Falls to Fred and Grace Cope. She graduated from OMCS in 1950 and was married that year. Arlene was a loving farmer’s wife (Wonderview Farms), helping with many chores including calf feeding, bookkeeping, running for machinery parts, and milking cows in her earlier years. She was an amazing cook who oftentimes had to “add water to the pot” to feed visitors at mealtime. She brought food to the fields and hosted many picnics at the Learn pond. She was unfailingly kind, loving, and supportive to everyone around her. She absolutely adored children and made each one feel special. Arlene was giving and thought of others before herself.

Arlene was a gifted writer, whose article on the family dairy farm was featured in Farm & Ranch Magazine in 1979. She worked at Cornell University as a secretary. She volunteered with Farm Bureau, Environmental Council, 4-H, and Literacy Volunteers. Her home church was the Catharine United Methodist. She loved reading and music. Her family adored her and she will be greatly missed.

Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Wendell of 52 years, son (Steven) Brian Learn, brother-in-law Malcolm (Esther) Learn and sister-in-law Lois (Donald) Stump. Arlene is also reuniting with her siblings: Doris Force-Huston, Kenneth Cope, June Benjamin and her husband Bob. She is survived by her sister, Sandy (Paul, deceased) Bates, sister-in-law Teresa Cope, and daughter-in-law Liz Learn (Brian, deceased). Arlene is also survived by her sons, Michael (Alice) Learn, Douglas (Angela) Learn, and daughters Kathleen (Richard) Rava, and Nancy Learn. Grandchildren include Andrew (Alicia) Learn, Elizabeth (Sam) Corbett, Christopher (Liz) Learn, Barbara (Shane McLean) Learn, Craig Learn, Nicholas (Casey) Rava, Eric (Sarah) Rava, Rachel (Fred Aguilar) Rava, Grace Rava, Thomas (Emily Doppel) Peckham, Rosemary (Luke) Eberhardt, Violet Learn. Great grandchildren include Ava, Grace & Tess Learn; Lily & Katie Corbett; Addison & Olivia Learn; Jacob & Tyler Rava; Dahlia, Micah & Jonah B. Rava.  Arlene was beloved by many nieces and nephews.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, August 14^th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Highland Cemetery in Odessa, NY.  The funeral service will follow at noon at the Odessa-Catharine Methodist Church, 305 Church Street, Odessa with a luncheon at the church following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.  Memories of Arlene may be shared with her family and friends at vedderscottzinger.com.