Arlene Zientek

Arlene Zientek, 78, a generous, caring, and loving mother and grandmother, passed away on October 25, 2025, at HCA Reston Hospital in Reston, VA. She celebrated her 78th birthday this past July.

Born on July 10, 1947, at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, Arlene was the daughter of the late William Poplawski and Pauline Mankiw. She was a woman who always put her family first, instilling in them the values and traditions of her strong Catholic faith.

After graduating from Berkeley Secretary School in Manhattan, Arlene began her career working at McGraw Hill Publishing Company and Reefer Terminals Shipping Company. She later dedicated herself to being a homemaker for her family before returning to the workforce at Josh Early Candies and Strawbridges Department Store.

Arlene was a faithful parishioner, most recently a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Sterling, VA, and previously of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Bethlehem, PA. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stephen J. Zientek, who passed away on January 11, 2008.

She is survived by her loving children: Scott Zientek and his wife Melissa Zientek, and Angela Wendland and her husband Thomas Wendland. Arlene was also a cherished grandmother to Alexander Zientek (14), Anna Zientek (11), Avery Zientek (8), Thomas Wendland (21), Samantha Wendland (20), and Robert Wendland (20).

Viewings will be held on Friday, October 31st at Connell Funeral Home, 245 East Broad St., Bethlehem, PA from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM and again Saturday morning from 8:45-9:45 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 3219 Santee Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Bethlehem, PA, or Our Lady of Hope Parish 46639 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling, VA 20165.