OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Arlene “Deni” Fitzgerald passed away on May 3, 2014 in Portland.

She was born to Carl and Hazel (Cleaves) Davis on Dec. 18, 1925 in Saco.

Arlene graduated first in her class from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1943. She later went on to graduate from Gorham State Teachers College and taught seventh-grade math for more than 25 years in the Old Orchard Beach School system. In addition, Arlene coached the OOB girls basketball team to several championships and was later acknowledged as having the most successful team in the state during the 1940s, according to Will Anderson’s Here’s to Hoops.

During her life, Arlene was known for her passion for the beach. She would regularly walk several miles a day. At home, she was an avid reader and knitter, listening to tunes of her era on the radio. She enjoyed her coffee get-togethers with her brother Kenny and his wife Madeline.

Arlene was lifelong friends with the late “Maddy” Edwards and Penny Rooney. She enjoyed continued friendship with her longtime neighbor and teaching companion, Eleanor Smith. Arlene was passionate about the Celtics, Patriots and especially her beloved Red Sox.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, John; three brothers; and four sisters. She was a second cousin to Bette Davis.

She is survived by: her sons, John and wife Susan and Gary and wife Gisele; and her daughter, Barbara and husband Michael.

She was a proud grandmother to Shane, Erin, Sean, Ashley and Thomas. Recently, she became a great-grandmother to Bella.

Per Arlene’s request, there will be no visitation. Interment will be at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Augusta at a later date. To share condolences and memories with the family, go to www.athutchins.com. Please consider donations in Arlene’s memory to: The Salvation Army, 2 Church St., Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064; or Portland Center for Assisted Living, 68 Devonshire St., Portland, ME 04103.