Arlene Rae (Smith) Alderfer, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Peter Becker Community in Harleysville, PA, with both Murrey Jr. and Murrey Sr. by her side.

Born March 26, 1935, to Emily (Bonekemper) and Ray Smith, Jr., she graduated from Lansdale High School in 1953. She married the love of her life, Murrey Alderfer, on June 5, 1954, and would have been married for 70 years this spring.

In addition to raising two children, Arlene worked as a bookkeeper, a dental assistant, and eventually as a registered dietician and nutritionist, after attending college in her 40's and 50's. She received her bachelor's and then master's degrees, attending Rosemont College, Immaculata University and St. Joseph's University. Although Arlene always worked outside of the home and was dedicated to everything she pursued, her greatest joy was in her role as a mother and grandmother, and in caring for many others who needed her love and support.

Arlene was an active member of Zion Mennonite Church and involved in many aspects of service, including teaching Sunday school, volunteering with the Table of Plenty by feeding those in need, and helping Sudanese refugees adjust to life in a new country. She was hard working, quietly independent, self-sufficient, kind and nonjudgmental to everyone. Her children and grandchildren depended on her for her unwavering support in all they wished to be, or do, or dreamt of doing.

The last decade of Arlene's life was difficult for her as she had to combat the debilitating effects of Parkinson's Disease which slowly progressed and greatly limited her function and life. But, true to her nature, Arlene did her very best to the end. Arlene was a small, but mighty woman who made a difference in so many people's lives along the way and was well loved and cherished in return.

Surviving is her husband, Murrey Alderfer; her younger brother, Raymond Smith, III (Patricia); her son, Murrey Alderfer, Jr. (Kathleen); her daughter, Sherry Alderfer Heckler; her grandchildren, Joshua Alderfer, Jesse Alderfer (Sara), Howard Thomas Heckler (Heidi), Emily Heckler, and Millie Heckler; and great grandchildren, JJ, Rayna, Iva, Scarlett and Fiona Alderfer. Arlene was preceded in death by her foster daughter, Anna Akuol Aleu Angok.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service at 1 pm on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Zion Mennonite Church, 149 East Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA 18964, where family will receive friends from 12-12:45 pm. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed at the service time by clicking HERE . In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Table of Plenty C/O Zion Mennonite Church at the address above, or to Camp Men-O-Lan at www.menolan.org. Arrangements are by Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Inc. of Franconia, PA.