Arleen was born in Bakersfield, California on March 23, 1958. Her family moved to the Los Angeles area three years later when her Dad started a new career as an appliance salesman to contractors building housing tracts. Her parents were divorced several years later and she lived with her Mother until her early teens. At that time she moved in with her Dad’s blended family until she was 17 and then relocated to be with her Mother until she reached adulthood.

Arleen faced many difficulties growing up and in her early years as a mother, but always faced those difficulties with determination and a solid faith in Jesus as her Lord.She married James Smith and had two beautiful children. Their marriage ended in divorce. After a period of time as a single mother, her life and family were joyfully expanded the day she met Jim Stuart and their marriage was one of the great blessings in her life. With Jim’s encouragement, she pursued her love of art and music, painting and serving on the worship team at her church. She loved her kids and worked hard to raise them positively while also making a great life with Jim. She loved the outdoors, cruising in their El Camino, music, and lived a life filled with joy. She always felt blessed by her Church family who cared for her practically and with the love of Christ after Jim’s passing.

Arleen passed away on March 3, 2026 and is now in the presence of Jesus and reunited with Jim, no more pain and in fullness of joy. She is survived by her son Phillip Stuart of Denver, Colorado and daughter Heather Norton of Newport News, Virginia and her four grandchildren. She is also survived by her father, Roy Koenig of Laguna Beach, California; brother Dean Koenig of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; and step sisters Crystal Seymour of Pasadena, California and Kelly DeGhetto of Mission Viejo, California.