Arlene E. van der Zee

Arlene’s parents welcomed her into this world on 8/10/1926 in her home town of Detroit, Michigan.  Her mother, Evelyn Marion Kaiser/Shand was of German and English descent. Her father, James Andrew Scott Shand was of Scottish descent.  Arlene had two siblings, an older sister, Virginia and a younger sister, Bonnie Jean.  

Arlene’s roots run deep in Detroit, Michigan.  Her paternal grandfather was Vice President of the Joseph N. Smith Company and co-inventor of the automobile windshield.  He was in Detroit, Michigan’s “Who’s Who” for all of his contributions to the automobile industry.  She must have developed a love for the theater from her maternal cousin, Jimmy Jewel.  He had a children’s radio show at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and later worked in Radio theatre in Chicago.  Her father was a Captain on the Detroit Fire Department.  He later served as Captain of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory Fire Department in Livermore, California. 

Arlene’s husband, John van der Zee was also born in Detroit, Michigan.  His parents were immigrants from Holland.  John’s father worked for the Ford Motor Company as Tool and Die Maker in the Machine Shop.  During his time with the Ford Motor Company, he was credited with many inventions used in the manufacturing of Ford automobiles.  John served in the Navy during World War II.  When John was on leave in Oakland, California, Arlene traveled there by train to meet him and be married.  When John returned home after the war, he also worked for the Ford Motor Company.  Arlene and John had two sons, Reed and Scott.

Arlene’s parents moved to Livermore, California in 1955 and Arlene and John soon followed.  They were happy to be out of the snow, enjoying the sunny California days.  They settled in Fremont, California where Reed and Scott attended both Elementary and High School.  John worked in the Bay Area for a manufacturing firm and Arlene attended San Jose University.  She graduated in 1964 with a degree in Education and a minor in Speech and Drama.  

Arlene taught the Mentally Gifted Minors Program as well as Musical Theater in the Fremont Unified School district.  After retiring from teaching, she and John moved to Santa Cruz, California.  There, she developed a new career as a Realtor.  She loved living in Santa Cruz and was very involved in the community.  She volunteered to work on the Miss Santa Cruz Pageant and Santa Cruz Follies.  She helped coordinate fundraising fashion shows for the Santa Cruz Board of Realtors, Santa Cruz Women’s Club and De Anza Arroyo Association.

Arlene was a world-traveler but found no place she enjoyed more than her home in Santa Cruz.  She lived there until February of 2017 when, due to failing health, a move to Camarillo, California was necessary.  She lived in close proximity to her son, Scott and daughter-in-law, Connie van der Zee.  She was very involved with the family, enjoying family birthdays and holidays. 

Arlene is survived by her sons, Reed and Scott van der Zee, six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director