NAUGATUCK — Arline (Hennessey) Best, 83, the widow of James T. Best, her husband of 61 years, died peacefully on Aug. 5, 2024, at her home with her loving family by her side.
Known to her grandchildren and many others as Baba, Arline was born June 19, 1941 in Waterbury, a daughter of the late Edward and Arline (Brennan) Hennessey, and lived in Naugatuck all of her life.
Arline and Jim spent many years at Peter J. Foley Field watching their boys play ball. Jim went on to coach a Babe Ruth team while Arline watched from the bridge with all the other baseball moms.
Family vacations were usually spent on day trips to Misquamicut, Riverside Park and the Bronx Zoo, and of course many fun visits to Ro’s Pizza in Watertown.
Her first grandchildren were born while her youngest sons were in elementary school so her home was always filled with kids — no empty nest for her. At some point, she and her friends began annual trips to Watch Hill where she would spend hours lying in the sun, perfecting her tan.
She really enjoyed those child-free trips, but was eager to be back home after a week away.
Arline enjoyed working at Coddington’s on Meadow for many years and continued to drop by to visit her former customers long after she retired.
She was known for her amazing chocolate chip cookies that she regularly shared with anyone she encountered — doctors’ offices, mechanics, plumbers, mailmen. And no picnic was complete without her potato salad.
When she started knitting, everyone she had ever met was gifted a scarf or two. For several years she has been joining friends for monthly lunches that tended to last until dinner time.
Arline is survived by her daughter, Jamie D’Amato; her sons, Michael Best, Kyle Best (Kim), Brian Best (Diana), Charlie Best (Becky) and Tom Best (Jen); her sister, Randi Dibble (Don); her grandchildren, Casey Nicholson (Robert), Jeremy Nixon (Lorianne), Crystal Deller (Nate), Jason Best, Chloe Sheridan (Bob), Garrett Best, Jocelyn Best, Justin Best (Kim), Addison Best, Macie Best and Riley Best; her 16 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Barbara Hennessey; her son-in-law, Howie Nixon; her dear friend, Marge Weeks; and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Arline was predeceased by her daughter, Joann Best; her daughter-in-law, Stephanie (Swan) Best; her son-in-law, Anthony D’Amato; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis and Barbara Hennessey, Gerald and Marion Hennessey, Neal Hennessey and Leo Hennessey; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Edward Korowotny.
Calling hours were to be Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck. A funeral service was to be Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial was to be private.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Arline’s memory, donations are requested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or at stjude.org/donate.
To leave an online condolence, please visit buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
