Arlene Bero

In Loving Memory of Arlene Mayfred Bero

January 19, 1925 – September 25, 2026

Wow… 101 years.
How incredibly blessed we were to have her for all those years.

Arlene Mayfred Bero, lovingly known by many as June, Mimi, and G-ma Mimi, passed away on September 25, 2026, in The Villages, Florida, with her son Jim and daughter-in-law Norine by her side.

Born January 19, 1925, Arlene came into this world at home on the family farm in Antwerp, New York, to her parents, Gladys Robinson Hitchman and John Hitchman. From the very beginning, Arlene was a woman of strength. At just a young age, she left school after the ninth grade to care for her sick mother. She learned early what it meant to put family first—a quality that stayed with her throughout her entire life.

Arlene worked on the family farm until she began her working life in 1943 at the Baumart Cheese Factory. In 1945, she worked at the Log Cabin as a short-order cook, and in 1947, she became an ice cream maker at the Crystal Palace.
And then came 1949—the magical year that changed everything.
While working as a maid at the Royal Hotel, Arlene met Robert Bero, who was in town helping set up for the Gouverneur Fair. Somewhere between the fair preparations and the sweet smell of popcorn, something much sweeter was happening—love was in the air.

Arlene and Robert married that same year at the Catholic parsonage. What began in 1949 became a beautiful 71-year love story.
In 1950, they welcomed their only child, James.
Arlene later went to work at the paper mill in Natural Dam, where she spent 22 years before retiring. She and Robert also shared the experience of owning and operating Bero’s Market from 1966 to 1969, building a life together through hard work, family, and countless memories.
But Arlene was so much more than the places she worked or the years she lived.

She was a spitfire.She had a personality all her own, a strong spirit, and a way of making herself known. Those who knew her knew exactly what that meant. She was tough, loving, funny, determined, and unforgettable. She was the kind of person whose presence stayed with you.

She loved watching her Yankees and cheering on SU basketball, but her greatest joy was her family.

To her son, Jim, she was Mom
To her granddaughters, Mia and Shelby, she was Mimi.
And to her great- granddaughters Sierra and Sydney, she was their beloved G-ma Mimi.
Those names may have been different, but the love behind them was the same.
Arlene was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Robert Bero; her parents, Gladys and John Hitchman; and her sisters, Mary and Betty.
She leaves behind her son, James (Norine) Bero; granddaughters, Mia (Kris) Carr and Shelby (Timothy) Lawton; and great-granddaughters, Sierra Carr and Sydney Carr.
She also leaves behind something much greater than a list of names—101 years of stories, laughter, memories, lessons, and love.
The family would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to Norine, who was always there for Arlene, especially during the most difficult times. Her love, patience, strength, and dedication never wavered. She cared for Arlene when she needed it most, and our family will forever be grateful for everything she did.

Losing someone who lived for 101 years is incredibly difficult, because it means saying goodbye to a lifetime of memories. But we are choosing to be grateful.
Grateful for every laugh.
Every story.
Every Yankees game.
Every basketball game.
Every family gathering.
Every moment we were lucky enough to have her with us.

101 years of a life well lived.
101 years of memories.
101 years of love.

We were so very blessed to have her.

And although our hearts are broken, we know that a piece of Mimi will live on in each of us—in our stories, in our laughter, and in the memories we will carry with us forever.
Rest peacefully, Mimi.

We love you. We will miss you. And we will never forget you.

Wow… 101 years. What a blessing.