Mary Elizabeth Arnold, 86, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Dec. 30, 1939, to Ira K. and Lizzie (Weaver) Rank in Lebanon, PA.
On June 2, 1956, she married Robert “Bob” J. Arnold, and together, they celebrated 53 years of marriage before his passing in 2009. Mary and Bob were the proud owners of Double AA Stables. They provided horse riding lessons and guided many trail rides. Their family trained horses, which were well respected in the area and used by Camp Kawanis, the Beagle Club, and as mounts for the Shriners in parades.
Mary was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren and volunteered in various roles with her church. She worked for most of her life as an accomplished sewing machine operator. She was a highly decorated Girl Scout, earned many badges, and was awarded the highest honor of the Curved Bar, on par with the rank of Eagle Scout. She played clarinet in the Lebanon High School band and was a member of the Tri-High-Y and the Volks March Bologna Stompers. Mary also enjoyed volunteering at WellSpan Hospital and Relay for Life.
Mary was a proud member of her school community and participated in the Northern Lebanon sports and band booster clubs. She also enjoyed exploring the world as an Outdoor World Member, traveling in her RV, taking various trips with her husband, and attending a missions trip. She and her family hosted an exchange student, Alvaro Bogado, who remained in touch until her passing.
Mary was her family’s #1 fan, never missing a match in wrestling, soccer, track, baseball, basketball, football, and field hockey. She had a tremendous amount of pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s accomplishments with 4-H, horse shows, rodeos, cavalcades, and programs.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Robert J. (Robin) Arnold, Dale (Pamela) Arnold, Kathy (David) Martin, and Fay (Clifford) Berger; grandchildren, Daniel (Kelly McGinn) Martin, Leanne (Robert Amos) Martin, Brian (Sonia) Berger, Robert (Erica) Arnold, Laura (Bret) Wiest, Trevor (Kate) Arnold, Kasey (Luciano) Schiano Di Cola, Tracy (Justin) Smith, Travis (Holly) Berger, Thea Arnold, and Dustin (Caitlyn) Arnold; 24 cherished great-grandchildren; sisters, Edna (Bernie) Meyerhoffer and Grace Meyer; sister-in-law, Sister Agnes Leona; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents, Ira and Lizzie; and many beloved family members and friends.
Services for Mary will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of the service in Lebanon Church of the Brethren, 400 Locust St., Lebanon, PA. Interment will follow immediately after in Kochenderfer Cemetery.
