Arlene F. (Ballard) Lawsure

Arlene F. (Ballard) Lawsure, 72, passed away on February 13, 2026, at Baystate Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield on August 2, 1953, to the late Robert and Dorothy (McCarthy) Ballard. Arlene was raised in West Springfield, where she graduated in 1971 from West Springfield High School and she continued her education as the first graduate of St. John’s School of Business in 1977.

Arlene spent more than 20 years in Ludlow before making Indian Orchard her home in 2015. Over the years, Arlene worked in a variety of roles, as a legal secretary, restaurateur, and paraprofessional, yet her most cherished role was that of mother to her four children, whom she supported with unwavering devotion, creativity, and love.

Arlene lived a life defined by generosity and service. She volunteered as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Den Leader, was a member of the East Street School PTO, and was always ready to lend her time, energy, and talent wherever it was needed. 

A gifted artist, Arlene possessed the rare talent of mastering any medium of art, including painting, stenciling, and cross-stitch. She also sewed, often crafting her own clothing and designing hundreds of Halloween costumes for family and friends. What she made was never merely decorative—it was meaningful, thoughtful, and made to bring joy. She was also a classically trained pianist and she designed and created set pieces for numerous local theater productions. 

Arlene believed every moment worth celebrating deserved beauty and intention. She delighted in making every occasion memorable, turning holidays, birthdays, and simple get-togethers into vibrant, carefully crafted experiences where people felt welcomed, valued, and loved. Never one to remain idle, she approached life with curiosity and purpose, always creating, always giving, and always finding new ways to make the world around her brighter. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Allison Gaynor of Ludlow, Patrick Lawsure and his wife Lindsay of Chicopee, Ian Lawsure and his wife Jaime of Orange, and Kate Lawsure and her fiancé Tyler Junk of Ft. Wayne, IN; her beloved grandchildren: Tiara-Elizabeth Perreault, Savanna Perreault, Liam Santiago, Rhys Lawsure and Finley Lawsure; her brothers, Jeffrey Ballard and wife Mary-Beth of Tolland and Richard Ballard and wife Janet of Ashland, OH and her sister, Cynthia Balboni of West Springfield; her close friends LuAnn Hoffman and Lisa Groll, along with many nieces and nephews, other extended family members and friends. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services with Calling Hours from 10:00am-12:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.

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