Arlene Marguerite (Ayer) Akley passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, March 20, 2006, at the St. Johnsbury Health & Rehabilitation Center. Arlene was born in St. Johnsbury on May 12, 1921, to Arthur Henry Ayer and Julia Etta (Morgan) Ayer. She attended public schools in Passumpsic and St. Johnsbury, graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy with the class of 1939. Arlene was extremely proud of being elected permanent class secretary. She later attended Larson Junior College (Quinnipiac) in Hamden, Conn. Over the years, Arlene worked as a legal secretary for the law firm of Witters, Longmore and Akley as well as attorney John Swainbank. Arlene had also worked in real estate with Leslie Scott in St. Johnsbury. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years; included in her many interests were photography, fashion design and a love of horses. Survivors include her brother Neal M. Ayer and his wife Marguerite Collins Ayer of St. Johnsbury; nieces and nephews, Shawn M. Ayer and his wife Shannon and children Justin, Dylan and Caeley of Clinton, Conn., Jan M. Ayer and children Olivia and Michael of Jericho Center, Vt., Tyler N. Ayer and his wife Patricia Ducham Ayer and children Benjamin, Cameron and Lilie of Charlottesville, Va.. Timothy C. Ayer of Manchester, Conn.; very close family cousins, Mrs. Elizabeth Ferris of Concord, N.H., Mrs. Virginia Syphon of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Priscilla Blodgett of Rochester, N.H. and Mrs. Patricia Hodgdon of Contoocook, N.H. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Clarence; and brother Arthur Morgan Ayer of Derby, Vt. Arlene's family would like to express their appreciation to St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab for the excellent and loving care she received during her three-year stay at the center. Burial and services will be held at the convenience of the family later at Lyndon Center Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 36 Central St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.