Arlene Gondar

Arlene Gondar, 83, of West Burke, Vt passed away peacefully at home with her husband by her side on July 29, 2026, after a short battle with cancer.

The daughter of Mary (Tomaskovic) and Arthur Vanderslice, Arlene was born on January 11, 1943, in Bridgeport, Ct. She attended St. Patrick Grammar School and Central High School. As a kid, she enjoyed hanging around with her cousin Albert, and as a teen, she loved playing stickball in her neighborhood. In 1964, she met the love of her life, Bob, while working at Producto Machine Company in Bridgeport, Ct. Bob recognized her high heels coming down the staircase to the coffee machine, and he would 'conveniently' bump into her there. Conversation led to romance and then to marriage in 1967. They started their life together in Huntington, Ct, where they raised their two daughters, Keri and Kristen. Arlene was proud of her volunteer work at St. Lawrence School, where she helped coach her daughters’ cheerleading team, lead their Brownie group, and assist with school and church tasks.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Arlene worked several part-time jobs as a bookkeeper, administrative clerk, and sales associate. When her daughters were young, she enjoyed gathering with other families to play a rousing game of pinochle and go on vacation. Celebrating holidays with the Gondar clan, roller-skating at indoor rinks, and traveling to antique car shows in one of Bob’s classic cars were some of the most memorable family activities.

In 1985, Arlene’s family moved into an old colonial home in Monroe, Ct where they enjoyed the quiet of a wooded, country road. In 2002, Arlene and Bob retired to West Burke, Vt. Soon after, Arlene’s first granddaughter Erin was born, followed by her sister Maggie. Her third granddaughter Finley completed the trio of little girls, and Arlene found a new zest for life. She was always so proud of her “beautiful granddaughters” and loved spending time with them and watching them grow up. She felt lucky to have had so many years with them; they brought her immeasurable joy.

Arlene's devotion to her family is her proudest legacy, followed closely by her lifelong devotion for animals. Dogs, cats, chickens, quail, rabbits, hamsters, fish, parakeets, and even a rescued baby crow named Bert were blessed to have her as their 'mother'. Friends and relatives said they wanted to be reincarnated as one of Arlene's pets, because they have the best life. Arlene felt compelled to generously contribute to animal welfare and rescue organizations throughout her life, and she was pleased that her daughters and granddaughters carry on her legacy in their deep love of animals.

With her quick wit, empathetic heart, sociable nature, and feisty spirit, Arlene was well liked by everyone. She will always be remembered for her love of upbeat, danceable music - it was a marvel to see her cut up the dance floor with Bob during a polka! A self-proclaimed ‘happy homebody’, she also loved being in her cozy house; how grateful she was to end her days there, with her family and dog with her, and the daisies Bob planted for her outside the window.

Arlene is predeceased by her parents and her nephew, Kyle Vance. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Robert; her two daughters, Keri Gondar McCready (Brett) of West Burke and Kristen Langlais (Matt) of West Burke; her three granddaughters, Erin and Margaret Langlais, and Finley McCready; her brother, Frank Vance; niece, Heather Vance Bociek; and her dog, Dixie.

Bob, Keri, and Kristen would like to thank everyone who reached out to them and helped during this difficult time. They are especially appreciative of the excellent, compassionate care Arlene received from Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice and Marilyn O’Connor. As a devout Catholic, Arlene went to Mass at St. Elizabeth Church in Lyndonville, Vt until she was too ill to attend, and her family is grateful to Father Curtis Miller, who administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to Arlene two days before she passed.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Private interment will take place at the Hillside Cemetery in West Burke, Vt.

Donations in Arlene’s memory can be made to: Tomten Farm and Sanctuary in Haverhill, Nh; Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter in Orleans, Vt; or Kingdom Animal Shelter in St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.