Arlene Marie Jensen

Arlene Marie Jensen, age 83, a longtime resident of Plymouth, MI and Deerfield Beach, FL, and a deeply loved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026. Arlene was born April 9, 1943, in Gary, Indiana, daughter of the late John J. and Mary E. (nee Humenick) Shestak and wife of the late John W. Jensen.

She received her education degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1965. She taught for a couple of years in the Los Angeles County school system, before moving to Michigan in 1967 after marrying John, and began teaching for Livonia Public Schools.

Starting in 1971, she took time off to raise her children, but teaching was truly her calling in life and she was a passionate, talented, and engaged educator - during her time away, she volunteered as “The Picture Lady” and “The Sculpture Lady” and substitute librarian at her children’s school, Our Lady of Good Counsel. She returned to Livonia Public Schools as a full-time middle and high school teacher in 1987 and retired in 1999. She always had stories about “her kids” in class, cared deeply about each one of them, and used her sense of humor and deep well of empathy to get kids engaged in the classroom and excited about learning, while valuing each of them for their uniqueness as individuals.

Her Catholic faith was always positive and core to who she was, and she regularly reminded people that God loved them unconditionally.

She and John were proud to meet and keep so many wonderful, lifelong friends, including those they met during their first years in Michigan, excellent neighbors-turned-friends, the Plymouth “First Friday” revelers, the gang at Sommer Dorf in West Branch, and good friends at the Cove Beach Club during the winters.

Her family greatly appreciates all the prayer, concerns, and support extended to us during this time, and would also like to express deep gratitude to her wonderful team at Bickford of Canton, who watched over her and provided security and friendship during her 15 months there – Mary, Irena, Tia, Maureen, Jenny, Emma, Fatima, Lilly, Gabe, Beni, Layla, Shanice, and Woody. She is survived by son Erik (Leilani) of Seattle, WA, daughter Julie of Plymouth, and cherished grandchildren Lila and Tate, who will all deeply miss her loving personality and enthusiastic support.

Family and friends may gather on Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 11:30 A.M. until the time of the Memorial Mass at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Michigan beginning at 12:30 P.M.

There will be a luncheon to follow the Memorial Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit, 1820 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207 or Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, 21405 Trolley Industrial Drive, Taylor, Michigan 48180.

Contribution envelopes will be available at St. Kenneth.