Arleen (Muldowney) Casey grew up as the youngest of six children, experiencing a rich and vibrant childhood. Her parents built their home in 1948 on what was then the edge of town near Seminole Highway and Highway 12/18. Arleen attended Nakoma Grade School and Cherokee Junior High before graduating from West High School in 1974.
Reflecting on her grade school years, Arleen fondly remembers her grade school teacher, Ms. Keir, who encouraged her to read as many books as possible, opening up the world to her. This encouragement, combined with her family’s artistic background, sparked a lifelong passion for reading and writing. She also recalls, with a touch of humor, that every teacher at Nakoma retired or left after having her class, and the building has since been torn down and rebuilt, leaving no place for her to revisit.
Her junior year of high school was marked by profound change. In 1972, her two older sisters moved to Colorado, and later that year, her older brother was tragically killed in a traffic accident. These events significantly impacted Arleen’s life trajectory, shaping her resilience and outlook on life.
After graduation, Arleen moved out and began working various jobs in Madison. A fast learner, she never had to study much as a student. Arleen’s mother, who graduated from business school in the 1930s—a rare achievement for women at the time and her father who started his own business gave her exposure to the business world. At 20, Arleen landed her first office job at SYCOM, where she started in the mail room and eventually became a Human Resources Assistant. After 12 years, the company was sold and she was let go. However, the computer skills she acquired during her time there proved invaluable as the Windows operating system became more widespread.
She then joined Joiner & Associates, handling travel arrangements and client billing for quality consultants working with Fortune 100/500 companies. This role exposed her to a diverse group of talented individuals and completely changed her world view. After another layoff, she brought her experiences to various other positions including a telecommunications company and a senior housing developer. She ultimately secured a role at the AARP Wisconsin office. For 20 years, Arleen served as the Office Administrator until her retirement in 2022. This position allowed her to delve into aging issues, engage with legislators and elected officials, and travel extensively.
Although Arleen did not attend college, she pursued numerous writing courses, CEU classes, and seminars throughout her career. Her passion for writing was ignited in 9th grade by her Honors English teacher, Ray Clausen. She went on to edit company newsletters and contribute to writing procedural manuals and training materials. Arleen has maintained connections with many classmates over the years. She has been an active member of the reunion committee and this year marks the milestone 50th reunion. In retirement, Arleen and many of her classmates regularly meet for lunch or music events around town.
Currently, Arleen resides on the northeast side of Madison with her cat, Buddy. She enjoys e-biking, hiking, and attending local theater and music events. Reflecting on her journey, Arleen cherishes the memories of her school days and the lifelong friendships she has built.
Madison’s public schools are proud to count Arleen Casey among their alumni!
