Arlene Ethel (Dixon) Coulter

Arlene Ethel, 88, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2019, in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, where she had been living with her daughter Christine for the past two years. Arlene was a long-time resident of Port Elgin, Ontario, where she raised four daughters and lived with her husband, the late William (Bill) Coulter, former CAO, Town of Port Elgin. Arlene’s life-long passions included studying history and collecting antiques. 

Arlene was born in Sudbury, Ontario to Arnold and Eleanor Dixon.  She moved to Hamilton, Ontario after graduating from high school to work at Ontario Hydro where she met her future sister-in-law, Phyllis Coulter (married name Moore) who introduced her to her brother Bill and later to become Arlene’s husband.  In her teen years, she was a downhill skier—in fact, she and her friends started the first ski club in the area by clearing runs for their ski competitions. She was also a war canoe competitor, and passionate about nature.  She and Bill were married at St. David’s Presbyterian Church in Campbellville, ON in October, 1953 and lived with his family who owned a managed a grocery store business there. They raised 3 daughters, Carrie(deceased), Debbie and Julie; 2 sons, Richie and Randy(deceased).

They owned a cottage in Oliphant, Ontario where Arlene and her “girls” would spend the summers going to the beach, hiking, going on picnics, doing crafts, playing monopoly and scrabble until late at night. 

Sadly, in the business and their adjacent home burned to the ground.  Bill, Arlene, and the girls moved to Port Elgin where Bill became town Clerk Administrator.  Arlene lived in Port Elgin until 2015 when her health required her to move in with her daughter, Heather to Guelph, ON. In 2017, she moved to Alberta to live with her daughter, Christine Coulter on a small farm. Arlene loved being surrounded by nature and the farm animals. In late December of 2018, Arlene moved to the Wetaskiwin Long Term Care facility, where she became a resident. 

Arlene Coulter was an independent soul.  She rode her bicycle wherever she needed to go. She was an avid collector of antiques and at one time an antique store owner, bringing antiquities from England and Europe. She knew the history and value of almost any treasure she encountered.  All of these traits she passed on to her daughters and her grandchildren.  

She is survived by four daughters; Cynthia Arlene Coulter of Los Angeles, CA Valerie Lynn Coulter of Toronto, ON, Christine Kelly Coulter of Mulhurst Bay, AB, and Heather Violet Stevens (Coulter) of Guelph and her four grandchildren (twins) James Coulter-Whittaker and Erik Coulter-Whittaker, David Coulter Stevens, Lauren Elizabeth Stevens and her Kitty Kat cat.  She is also survived by her brothers Roderick Dixon of Oakville, ON and Christopher Dixon of Sudbury, ON.  She is predeceased by her siblings; Douglas Dixon, Shirley Paul, and Norma Paul. She leaves behind nieces and nephews; Dennis, Cathy, Arnold, Gordon, Duff, Jennifer, Marilyn, Susan, Daniel and George, all living across Canada with their families. 
She is also survived by sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bertasson (Coulter) of Freelton, ON and her children Linda, Nancy and Steven; and brother in-law, Gordon Coulter and his wife, Laura of Wiarton, ON and their children Kaurina, Mark and Aundrea.

Donations will be gratefully accepted to the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation - Palliative Care, 6910 - 47 Street Wetaskiwin, Alberta T9A 3N3 and the Edmonton Humane Society, 13620 - 163 Street N.W. Edmonton, Alberta T5V 0B2.

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