Arlene Dante

Arlene Dante

7/26/2022

Arlene Dante passed away July 26, 2022. She was 93 years old. Arlene was born on April 30,1929 in Upper Freehold Township New Jersey, to the late Raymond and Laura Wright. She was born to be a singing cowgirl. Her first audiences were her parents and her late brother, Willard Wright. Her sister, Thelma Wright, passed away in 1927.

Arlene became a rising star with a song in her heart and a guitar in her hands. She had many happy trails. Arlene made appearances on the Arthur Godfrey Show and worked extensively with Eddie Arnold and Tex Ritter (father of John Ritter of “Three’s Company”). Her Songs played on WATB Newark and WPIX in New York City. She was always a hometown girl. Arlene entertained her hometown fans, traveling with the rodeo and making nightly appearances at Bertrand’s Island in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. In 1951, she was appearing at the Fireside broadcasting over WMTR Morristown. There she met her late husband, Elmer Dante. In 1956 they married, and she entertained her own captive audience: four children, Elmer Dante Jr., Deanna Griffin (Gary), Sam Dante (Greg), Damon Dante (Derek); two grandchildren, Lauren Griffin, Raymond Griffin (Zoe); two great grandchildren, Gabriella Griffin, Connor Griffin; a niece, Susan Pleasants (Stuart); a nephew, Willard J. Wright (Trisha Fagan); a great niece and nephew, Kate Pleasants and Jack Pleasants; nine grand dogs, Chester, Cooper, Armani, Iggy, Aiko, Rosie, Anna, Murphy, and Comet. Her own dogs Zeus, Chloe, and Chubby crossed the rainbow bridge many years ago, but always remained in her heart. Because of her great love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Volusia County Humane Society.