Arleen Emily Futty Higgins of Newark, Delaware passed away March 21, 2026 at the age of 84. Arleen was born April 20,1941 in Marshallton, Delaware where she graduated from Conrad High School. Six decades later, she remained a proud alum. She moved to Newark in 1979.
For more than 30 years, Arleen was an associate at W.L. Gore, starting in the mailroom and working her way to Human Resources. Within her family and at Gore, she was known as a role model and strong advocate for working women.
In every aspect of life, Arleen made people feel welcome, cared for, and included. And fed! She always served up your favorites even on short notice. Her specialties included pasta salad, lasagna, meatball sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies. Then there is the difficult-to-make apple cake that her family joked she baked only when someone died. (Yes, we will have apple cake in her honor!)
For nearly four decades she planned and hosted an annual beach week which grew as the family did. Her children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren all have cherished memories of those summers in Rehoboth filled with lounging on the porch doing crossword puzzles, going for bike rides, and nights spent at Funland.
Spoiling her grandchildren was her favorite thing to do. She had a small dock built on the creek behind her house, creating fishing memories over multiple generations. She drove many miles to sports and school activities to cheer each child on, from nursery school through college. Her love and creativity were on display for birthdays and holidays. Each grandchild has experienced the box in a box in a box in a box… that finally yielded some amount of cash folded many times over to fit in the tiniest box. She refused to reuse birthday candles, uttering her now famous line, “Every grandchild deserves their own birthday candles.”
Her other passions included shopping and caring for her garden, especially the daffodils that filled the side of her yard. She loved having her cat Winky keep her company while she worked outside.
Arleen found purpose in taking care of others including her parents, Sara (Sally) and Curtis Futty and later her husband, Ray.
She will be remembered for her hugs, her little giggle, the sparkle in her eye, her grace and selflessness, and her understanding and acceptance. She was dearly loved by those around her.
Arleen is pre-deceased by her husband Raymond Higgins, her parents Sara (Sally) and Curtis Futty, Sr. and her brother Dennis Futty and sister Sally Anne Futty.
She is survived by her brother, Curtis Futty, Jr. (Lynn), daughter Susan Askew (Rob) and her son Robert Williams (Jo Anne-Marie); stepchildren Jill Higgins (Joe Blotnick), Cynthia Higgins, and Christopher Higgins (Jen Burns); and her beloved grandchildren Robin Blotnick (Rachel Lears), Gina Fioravanti, Ryan Blotnick (Keri Kimura), Paul Fioravanti (Ashley), Alli Williams (Brian Lagarelli), TJ Williams, Morgan Williams, Brynne Williams, Annabel Higgins, Zoe Higgins; great grandchildren, Braxson Lagarelli, Max Blotnick-Lears, Enzo Fioravanti, Nico Blotnick, Leo Lagarelli, and Mia Fioravanti. And her “very, very, VERY best friend” Colleen Pedersen.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26 from 6 to 8 pm at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.
