Arlene M. Fenderson

Arlene M. Fenderson, 67, of Sanford, passed away at home on June 11, 2026.

Born on May 4, 1959, in Queens, New York, Arlene was the oldest of four children born to Arley McQueen Jr. and Mabel (Klein) McQueen. She was raised in, Connecticut, where she attended local schools and graduated in 1977. Soon afterward, she moved to Maine with her family, where she would build the life she cherished.

In Maine, Arlene met Kim Fenderson, her soulmate and the love of her life. Together they raised their family and created a home.

Arlene dedicated her professional life to caring for others as a CNA and Medication Technician. For her, caregiving was never simply a job. She believed every person deserved kindness, dignity, and companionship, especially during life’s most vulnerable moments. She often spoke
affectionately about the residents she cared for, calling them her “old people,” and she formed lasting connections with many of them and their families throughout her years at facilities including the Newton Center and Greenwood Center.

To know Arlene was to know someone who rarely let people leave her home hungry.
Known by many as “Ma Dukes,” she welcomed family, friends, neighbors, and just about anyone who needed a place to land. Her kitchen was often the center of everything. There was always food to share, conversation to be had, and the feeling that you belonged. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel comfortable, understood, and accepted exactly as they
were.

Arlene had a deep love of music throughout her life. In her younger years she played both piano and flute, and she enjoyed everything from classical music to the rock legends she never stopped listening to, including Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and Melissa Etheridge. Music filled her home and often provided the soundtrack to everyday life.

A cancer survivor, Arlene faced adversity with strength, determination, and humor. She carried herself with resilience but never lost her ability to laugh, make others laugh, or find joy in ordinary moments. She was intelligent, compassionate, strong-willed, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved.

While she leaves behind many cherished memories, perhaps her greatest legacy is the way she cared for people. Whether through a warm meal, a listening ear, or simply making room for someone at her table, Arlene made people feel valued. Those fortunate enough to know her will carry that gift with them always.

She was predeceased by her father, Arley McQueen Jr.; her soulmate, Kim Fenderson; and her beloved friend, Tracey Bottiglieri.

Arlene is survived by her mother, Mabel McQueen of Alfred; her daughter, Staci Rooney and husband Sean of Sanford; her son, Shane Fenderson and wife Stephanie of Waterboro; her grandchildren, Ashton Arley and Charlotte Monroe; her siblings, Michael McQueen and wife Kelly of Sanford, Jeffrey McQueen of Lebanon, and Stacey McQueen of Sanford; her dearest friends, Diane and Bob Laitres of Shapleigh; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, June 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m.