Obituary of Arline Francis Fay

Arline "Arlie" Francis Fay, a Darien resident for more than 50 years, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 29, 2010. She was surrounded by her family. Born in Belmont, MA on February 20, 1922 she was the daughter of the late Raymond Osgood Chaffee and Ruth Morgan, and the twin of the late Dinny (Erdene) Smith. After graduating from Bradford College and a brief business career, Arlie married and focused on raising her four children and step-daughter. She instilled her love of art, painting, travel, skiing, the beach, reading and animals to all her family. Arlie was an award winning artist whose commissioned paintings can be found in private homes around the United States and in Europe. Locally, Arlie enjoyed her artistic endeavors while painting with fellow artists at the Rowayton Art Center. In the summer you could find Arlie at the Tokeneke Club where she played tennis, listened to the Sunday Jazz, and buried her toes in the sand while enjoying a good book or conversation with longtime friends. To quench her thirst for culture, Arlie traveled with her dear friends and family to all corners of the world. When her grandchildren would visit she would pick up an African whittled tribal statue or ivory hand-painted chopsticks and explain their exotic stories. She had a knack for making her adventures come alive and thoroughly engrained a desire to understand the people of the world in each of their hearts. It is through these travels much of her compassion and generosity for others was seen. Arlie was an avid lover of animals; a love that extended to her six grand-dogs, pet squirrel, fat cats, and artsy fish alike. Her unconditional love of family and life along with its crazy adventures and challenges are what her children and grandchildren will remember always. Arlie was predeceased by her husband Sturgis M. Fay, former husband Nicholas Baker, her brother Morgan Chaffee and her sister Erdene Smith. Survivors include: Arlie's sister Ruth King of Essex, NH; and her children Nicholas Baker Jr. (Clare) of Yorktown, VA; Holbrook Baker of Darien, CT; Allen Fay (Elisabeth) of Bethel, CT, Ruthie Strother (Jay) of Darien, CT and Nomina Fay of Bradenton, FL; nine grandchildren: Laura (Ted), Nic, Brian, Tom and Jenny; Jay, Bob and Lynnie; Jason; many nieces and nephews and her grand dogs: Bowman and Jess. An art show in celebration of her life will be held in early summer. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to The Rowayton Art Center 145 Rowayton Ave. Norwalk, CT 06853-1444 or the Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820