Arlene Wisan Obituary
Arlene Wisan died on January 7, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York, following a two-year period of declining health due to diabetes and kidney failure.
A lifelong Brooklynite, Arlene was born in 1946, and her childhood was filled with singing, sports, and a close-knit extended family. She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and a master's degree in speech pathology from Queens College.
Arlene worked at St. John's University in Queens for 31 years, until her retirement in 2014. She was the clinical coordinator for the Speech and Hearing Center and an instructor in the graduate and undergraduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. Arlene loved her work, and a colleague referred to her as "one of the legends at St. John's" for the profound impact she had on students, patients, and patients' families.
Arlene was married to her beloved Martin Fogelson, an assistant DA in Brooklyn and later an attorney in private practice in Manhattan, until his death in 1998. Together they enjoyed tennis, travel, eating out, and the many rescue cats they opened their home to over the years. Arlene had a wide circle of close friends, a crucial source of support for her after Marty died.
In her later years, Arlene played a wonderful part in the lives of the children and grandchildren of her cousin Deborah Blum, who was like a sister to her. Both of Deborah's children, Jonathan Blum and Belinda Blum, raised their families in Brooklyn, and "Aunt Arlene" enthusiastically attended 20 years of recitals, plays, soccer games, graduations, art shows, and street fairs. She calmly drove Belinda to the hospital when she was in labor; years later she helped teach the older kids to drive. In addition to her generosity and affection, the kids will remember her always arriving early and finding the best parking spots; taking them to the horse races at Belmont Park on her birthday every July; passionately rooting for the Yankees; and eating olives for breakfast.
In recent years, as her health deteriorated, Arlene remained remarkably upbeat and continued to savor good meals and time with her family, friends, and cats. Her love of life was an inspiration.
In addition to Marty, Arlene was predeceased by her parents, Sam Wisan and Mary (Fein) Wisan. She is survived by Deborah Blum; Jonathan Blum, Barbara Spindel, Lucy Blum, and Nathan Blum; Belinda Blum, Eric "Wally" Wallach, Ruby Blum Wallach, and Lou Lily Blum Wallach; and her many devoted friends.
Arlene brightened every room she entered with her warmth and her sense of humor, which will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
