Aileen D. (Duggan) Arzeno

Aileen (Duggan) Arzeno, 58, of Brockton, passed away peacefully in Boston on December 6, 2025, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Aileen is survived by her loving husband Felipe Arzeno and two exceptionally lovely daughters Elisa Sofia and Monica Rocio.

Aileen was a special auntie and tia to Sarah, Michael, Ashley, Bridget, Eric, Patrick, Halle, Maggie, Paola, Braulito, Layla, Jeanette, Enriquito, Rene, Ricky, Valeria, Alejandro, Krystal, Peter, Stephanie, Pedrito, Andres, and Arturo.

Aileen is survived by her mother Elizabeth “Betty” Duggan of Hingham and her 8 siblings, Paul of Albuquerque, NM, Frank and his wife Susan of Winsted, CT, Louise Everett and her husband Steve of Thomasville, GA, Mark of Hingham, MA, Mary Ann Maynard of Bridgewater, MA, Peter and his wife Lisa of Plymouth, MA, Theresa Duggan of Weymouth, and Joe and his wife Shannon of Newport, RI. Aileen was predeceased by her father Edward J. Duggan of Hingham.

Aileen epitomized the idea of "family first". Being a wife and mother suited her well. Meeting Felipe, her partner in crime, at Today’s Bread began simply with the question of if she would be interested in getting a beer with him sometime. One beer led to another and a life together that was certainly always interesting. Like their surprise “souvenir” teacup Yorkie from the Dominican Republic in 2013. Aileen rolled with it and opened her heart to her beloved Beans and later the late great cat Oreo and current Iduna and Peluche. All these creatures rounded out a house and helped make it a home.

The birth of her girls Elisa and Monica was the pinnacle of her life and showed her to be an amazing mother. She loved deeply. She showed up. She took the time. Aileen and Felipe’s efforts are evident in the wonderful young women they have become. She would do anything for the good of her family, sometimes at the expense of herself. That selflessness held everything together, especially when her illness presented itself over 10 years ago. She faced it head-on, right up until the very end. But with Aileen in our hearts there is really no end.

She was beyond creative and always working on something special. Recently, she had been creating paintings that she called “Maps of Unknown Places“. In her creativity she found comfort and solace. Aileen was open for any project and would lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. She wouldn’t necessarily be the first to be there, but she would almost definitely be the last to leave, making sure everything that needed to be done was done.

Aileen's connections with others were her trademark. She tended the most lush friend garden that we’ve ever seen. Lydia, Dena, Eduardo, David, Alex, Kate and Vic and so many more that we just can’t list. Her warmth and loyalty made that garden thrive and we’re so grateful to all who were part of her garden. She would find the good in everyone and roll up her sleeves to help without even being asked to get stuff done no matter how big or how small.

She was always up for an adventure. From picking apples to taking a boat ride to an art installation on a harbor island. She loved to travel and was never afraid to go somewhere new.

Aileen was born at the Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA and grew up in Hingham. After graduating from high school she went on to get her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She lived in Jamaica Plain for many years, working in childhood development programs and community-oriented organizations such as the Neighborhood House and the Hyde Square task force’s Main Streets Project. She also spent many years working at Today’s Bread on Center Street in JP where she would meet her beloved Felipe.

 After moving to Brockton, she worked as part of the opening team of the IKEA in Stoughton, MA where she headed the children’s department and met and befriended many over her fifteen years there.

Recently helping renovate a retail space with her niece Bridget in Providence, RI saw Aileen rise to the challenge and offered great satisfaction when the project was finally finished. Related projects included amazing props for art/film collaborations in Boston. One other of these collaborations was a T-shirt design that is currently making a splash with the cool kids in and around Providence. It features the various gentlemen’s clubs of Providence with the slogan “Providence is for Lovers”.  Her creative spark had no boundaries or apparently sense of decorum.

Her family was the source of her greatest pride and joy, creating a home that was warm and inviting. The perfect place for holidays and family gatherings with the many people that loved her. She had the ability to transform her yard into a wedding venue or a setting for graduation parties like it was nothing. She was a great host making everyone feel welcome and well fed.

Aileen will be missed but never forgotten. The lives she’s touched in her fleeting time on earth is equivalent to the ripples of a boulder thrown into a pond. Aileen, they broke the mold when they made you the best daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend anyone could ask for. Perfect in every way.

All are welcome to calling hours on Friday, Dec. 12th from 4-8 p.m. at Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, her funeral service on Saturday, Dec. 13th at 9:30 a.m. at Waitt Funeral Home and burial at Melrose Cemetery, 88 North Pearl St., Brockton.

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