Arlene S. Stickel, age 91, of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, at The Oaks at Towne Lake. Born on May 25, 1934, in the small coal mining town of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, Arlene was the beloved daughter of Michael and Rose Shuptar. Her mother immigrated from Austria, and her father from the Ukraine region, instilling in Arlene a deep appreciation for heritage, resilience, and faith.
Arlene was a proud graduate of the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her credentials as a Registered Nurse. She devoted her professional life to caring for others, serving in open wards, private duty nursing, student health at the University of Pennsylvania, oncology, and mobile health care. Arlene took her calling as a nurse very seriously and was known for the compassion, excellence, and dignity she extended to every patient entrusted to her care.
The defining force of Arlene's life was her relationship with Jesus Christ—an all-encompassing, life-shaping devotion she joyfully shared with anyone who would listen. Her faith was expressed through generous support of numerous ministries and courageous acts of service, including two trips to the Soviet Union, one with Brother Andrew's ministry, where she helped smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. She was always an active member of a local church, most recently Sojourn Church of Woodstock, Georgia.
Arlene truly never knew a stranger. Whether engaging with the prominent or the overlooked, she treated everyone with genuine dignity and respect, always looking for ways to make others feel seen and special. While serving as a student health nurse at the University of Pennsylvania, she befriended a medical student from Morocco; their friendship endured for many years and eventually led Arlene to travel to Morocco to visit her friend in person.
She had a deep love for the Jewish people, many of whom were dear friends, and cherished a particularly meaningful trip to Israel shared with her son. Arlene was also an exceptional cook and baker—everything she prepared was "top shelf" and lovingly enjoyed by all. Above all, she treasured time spent with her six grandchildren, delighting in each of their lives.
In 1980, Arlene married her college sweetheart from 23 years earlier, the late Jack Stickel. For the last 11 years of her life, she resided in Georgia with her son, Brett and his family, where she was lovingly cared for and surrounded by family.
Arlene is survived by her son, Rev. Brett A. Campbell and daughter-in-law, Michelle Campbell; daughter-in-law, Anna Campbell, wife of late son, Wade Campbell; grandchildren Nicole Campbell, Andrew Campbell, Victory Campbell, Ben Campbell, Amanda Campbell, and Candace Campbell; niece Rosanne Fisher; and nephew Tim Fisher; and great-nephew, Stephen Fisher.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Darby Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating and honoring Arlene's life will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Darby Funeral Home, with her son, Rev. Brett Campbell, officiating. Interment will take place at Georgia National Cemetery on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Arlene's name to New Horizons for Children -
www.nhfc.org
.
Arlene S. Stickel leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, courage, and love—one that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.
The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stickel family.