Arlene Spector

Arlene Spector, of San Pedro, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the age of 81. She was the beloved wife of Murray Spector for over 59 years. In addition to Murray, she leaves behind her son Joel of Portland Oregon and his sons Zachary (26), of White Plains NY, and Gabriel (21) of Glasgow, Scotland; a daughter, Lori (Lorraine) Spector, of Alexandria VA and her husband Robert Merker and children Elliot (23), Shana and Jonathan (both 17); and a son Daniel and his wife Kelly Buehler, of Wellington NZ. She is predeceased by her sister Joan Colombo, with whom she was often seen in and around San Pedro. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, beloved friends and adopted family. Arlene was born in the Bronx, NY, to Bruno Seelig and Ilse Lamm Seelig, who had emigrated from Germany in the early 1920's. She graduated from NYU before marrying Murray in 1955 and later earned a Master's Degree in Speech Pathology from San Fernando Valley State College (now CSU Northridge). In addition to being a wife and mother, Arlene was an English Teacher, and Speech Pathologist. Later, she became a career counselor and co-founder of The Women's Career Center at Middlesex College (NJ), where she developed and conducted seminars in Effective Communication skills for several major corporations including IBM, Union Carbide and Johnson and Johnson. Arlene retired from paid employment to devote her time to writing poetry, which have been published in three anthologies, and a novel, Miranda's Muse. Arlene and Murray were able to travel extensively, and she took great joy in maintaining her flower gardens. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Natural Resources Defense Council.




Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275