Obituary of Arleen J. Puglissi

Arleen J. Puglissi, 83, of East Rockaway, NY passed peacefully on December 31, 2024. Born in Queens, New York on October 28, 1941. Arleen is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, Charles, two loving sons John along with his wife Dina and Brian along with his wife Jenna, and four adored grandchildren Sarafina, John, Joseph, and Jack. Arleen had the ability and strength to overcome a lot of curveballs that life could throw at someone. Arleen grew up an only child to hard working parents John and Lydia Burke. As a teenager Arleen faced some early adversity when her father had a stroke, partially paralyzing him. Arleen worked extra jobs and helped take care of her father all while attending high school. This type of perseverance helped shape Arleen into the great woman she had already become. As time moved on Arleen began working as an airline agent for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) out of JFK airport. Arleen soon met Charles, a charming boy from East New York, Brooklyn who also worked for (SAS) as a cargo worker. Arleen and Charles were married on September 22, 1974, and lived in an apartment in Middle Village, Queens. Their first-born son, John arrived in 1975, and Brian was quick to follow just 15 months later. Arleen and Charles with their boys, moved out of the boroughs and on to Long Island. They settled a few miles into Nassau County in a quant English Tudor style home in East Rockaway. Arleen took care and raised her boys with all the love and affection a mother could give. Arleen had many passions that made her so special. Arleen being of Irish decent loved Irish music, bag pipes, drums, and anything green with a Shamrock. Arleen was very artistic. She would attend ceramic classes and loved to paint. She later got into making beautiful, floral wreaths that her whole family proudly displays in their homes. The most important passion Arleen had was cooking for her family. Mom was a true meat and potato’s girl. She had a knack to research recipes and glazes that would fill the bellies of her content husband and ever-growing boys. Arleen would be perplexed when a 5-pound meatloaf would disappear into thin air after spending all day preparing it. Though she would not be happy, she would always shrug it off with a comment using her Irish wit. Her personality was Arleen’s best attribute. Mom was the best to talk to, her advice and wisdom would help you overcome any troubling matter even when she was dealing with so much herself. Her role as a grandmother aka Nan was legendary. She followed her grandkids in every aspect of their endeavors - birthday parties, holidays, dance recitals and of course sporting events. As time and age made it more difficult for mom to get around, she followed their every play on the Game Changer app. A phone call would follow every game, good or bad with an encouraging message NOT only for her grandchildren but, for her two grown boys who could be big babies when things didn’t turn out to their liking. In the end, Arleen lived for her family. Like any good wife and mother, she always put family first. Arleen left an irreplaceable void that we will fill with all the wonderful memories she has left us. May she be embraced in heaven and look down with pride over the beautiful family that she has created - all from a Queens girl meeting a boy from Brooklyn at an airport.