Arlene M. (LaFever) Balus

Cuba- Arlene LaFever Pecone Balus, a longtime Cuba resident, went to her permanent Home to be with her Lord, on Saturday (May 29, 2021), at the Absolut of Allegany, where she had been residing.

Born May 4, 1930 in Springville, she was the daughter of the late, Leason and Agnes Jobe LaFever. On August 25,1953 she married Nicholas Pecone, who passed away on August 30, 1975.  In February 1982, she married, Floyd Balus, who predeceased her in November 2000.

Arlene was a graduate of Portville Central School and Roberts Beauty School. In 1971, she attended SUNY Buffalo, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in vocational education. She worked in local beauty shops and later owned her own shop. After becoming a teacher, she taught twenty-three years at Ellicottville and Olean BOCES, retiring in 1990.

Arlene enjoyed knitting, sewing, and reading. She loved playing golf, and was proud of making a “hole in one.”  She also attended the Olean First Baptist Church, while she lived in Olean.

Surviving are four children; Deborah (Eric) Linderoth of Allegany, Nanette Kenyon of Olean, Mark (Carrie) Pecone of Cuba, and Matthew (Michele) Pecone of Pittsburgh, PA; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several step-children, including two special step-children, Michol (Joe) Murphy of Rhode Island, and Martin (Heidi) Balus of Montana.

In addition to her husbands; she was predeceased by three sisters; infants Marjorie and Wilma LaFever and Patricia Foster; and two brothers, Bernard and Ernest LaFever.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service for Arlene on Thursday (June 17, 2021) at 11am at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Memorials if desired, may be made to the Genesis House, 107 S. Barry Street, Olean, First Baptist Church of Olean, 133 S. Union Street, Olean, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street Olean. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.