Arlene Marie (Mathews) Baxter, 84, of Middletown, Delaware
April 14, 1939 – January 15, 2024

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Arthur J. Mathews and Kathleen (Casey) Mathews.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by a brother, John S. Mathews.

She is survived by her five children from her marriage to the late James W. Baxter, Sr.: Lucinda B. (Cindi) Repass (David) of Warrenton, Virginia, Bonnie L. Deysher (John) of Salisbury, Maryland, James W. (Jay) Baxter, Jr. (Kristin) of Middletown, Delaware, Mathew D. (Matt) Baxter (Stacey) of Newark, Delaware, and Gabrielle G. Riddell (Jason) of Cedar Park, Texas; her grandchildren: Ryan Deysher, Anna Baxter, Matthew Baxter, James Baxter III, Justin Repass, Caitlin Baxter, William Baxter, Luke Repass, Joel Repass, Nathan Baxter, Keira Deysher, Braden Riddell, Bryce Riddell and Alexis Riddell. Also surviving are a brother, James A. Mathews of Dover, Delaware, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Arlene was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, but spent many summers as a proudly self-described “Farm Girl” at her uncle’s dairy farm in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. Her first career was as a dental hygienist. As a young mother, she was instrumental in starting an ALATEEN Chapter in Wilmington, resulting in many decades-long friendships with the young people impacted by that work. She invested many years raising her children and cultivating opportunities for them. She was active in the community, including church and local bible studies, and the neighborhood civic association, spearheading advocacy for smart land development; the latter landing her on the cover of Delaware Today magazine in January 1976. In her fifties, she embarked on a second career as a successful real estate agent, first with Langner Realty and then with Long & Foster.

Arlene was a proponent of lifelong learning and pursued continuing education at University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University. She also pursued interests in travel, nutrition, international child sponsorship and Chesapeake Bay preservation. Anyone who knew her experienced her living life out loud, and she was often described as formidable and even relentless, but her favorite moments were simple things like playful adventures with her grandchildren and sunsets at home on the Elk River.

Family will receive visitors at RT Foard & Jones, Inc. 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711 from 9-10am on Saturday, January 27, 2024, immediately followed by a service beginning at 10am. Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Child Fund International, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, or Alzheimer’s Association and send in care of the funeral home.