FAE “ARLENE” CLEMONS

Sept. 23, 1939 – June 19, 2015

It has always been Mom and me against the world. She married her first and only love, had one child (me) and worked her way up to management at Illinois Bell, a great achievement in the 1970s. The marriage ended; we both had to start over together. We moved to Springfield from Chicago, a courageous move, in hindsight, the best ever.

Life in Springfield has been filled with joy and amazing experiences. Together we enjoyed getting involved in our community and building lives. For the past 25 years we would annually take a trip together that was our “girls’ trip.” Always the beach, sun, umbrella drinks and shopping; mom was a consummate shopper, one of professional status.

A steadfast group of wonderfully vibrant women with a shared love of shopping, “the Friday Night Girls,” have been Mom’s greatest joy. They have met each Friday night for drinks for more than 20 years. They’ve been each other’s sisters, counselors, confidants, teachers and family. My mom never remarried and rarely dated. These women, plus my friends and our small family of my husband, Doug, and me were her life. Her friends were my friends and my friends were her friends. Every time I received an invite, the postscript always included “Please invite Arlene, too.”

My mom built her very first home in 1994 with a large in-ground pool. She loved the warm sun so it wasn’t surprising to have included a pool. Over the next 20-plus years weddings, baby showers, graduations, countless birthdays, July Fourths and warm, sunny days were shared. It was clear that she built it for us.

Recently while trying to access my mom’s online banking account, I was asked for a security code. The security question was “Name your best friend.” I typed my own name, “Victoria;” access was granted. I miss my best friend.

Victoria Ringer, daughter