Arlene Tomchesson

Arlene M. Tomchesson, 76, of Waco passed away peacefully with her family by her side Tuesday April 26, 2011 at her home. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday May 4, 2011 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. Interment will be 10:30 am Thursday May 5, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Arlene was born March 21, 1935 in Beaumont, Texas to Lester and Lucille Baker. She spent most of her high school years in Marlin, Texas where she met and married Teddy Tomchesson on December 27, 1952. Arlene and Teddy were stationed in many interesting places, including Japan, which happened to be one of her favorites. She was active in Girl Scout leadership for her daughters and Boy Scouts for her sons. Arlene never remarried after Major Teddy Tomchesson died in 1968 during the Vietnam War. She worked most of her life as a bookkeeper and was a devoted single mom to her five children. She played Championship Bridge as a young woman, and her entire life she enjoyed card games with her friends and grandchildren. She loved flowers and studied Ikebana in Japan. Arlene was an avid reader, loved the beach, the theatre, art, movies, and danced the soles off her shoes at any given opportunity .
Her parents, Lester and Lucille Baker, husband Teddy Tomchesson, brother Lester Baker, and son-in-law, Scott Matthews, preceded her in death.
She is survived by daughter Lisa Tomczeszyn of Los Angeles, Ca; son Titus Tomchesson, of Greensboro, NC; daughter Liana Tomchesson Adams and husband, George, of Austin; son Andrew Tomchesson of Waco and son Anthony Tomchesson and wife Robin, of Valley Mills; a brother Joel Baker of Washington; grandchildren Sarah Tomchesson-Rhodes, Jessica Tomchesson, Emily Tomchesson, Miles Adams, Ty Tomchesson, Daniel Tomchesson, and Cheyanna Tomchesson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Waco Public Library.