Arlene Koss Priest, 97, was born in Danbury, Connecticut on April 17, 1929 and departed this life on July 3, 2026 in Salisbury, Maryland.

She was the daughter of John and Mary Koss who emigrated from Czechoslovakia in the early 1900’s. Arlene was educated in Connecticut, receiving her Bachelor’s degree from New Britain State College and her Master’s degree from Western Connecticut State College.

She was devoted to her profession as an elementary teacher, beginning her career in Connecticut and retiring more than 40 years later from East Salisbury School. Teaching was her life; she took great pride in the many accomplishments of her students. Her students were not the only ones to benefit from her love of educating others; anyone who knew her was impressed with her wealth of knowledge and her desire to share it.

Arlene had a deep love of nature and spent many hours working in her flower garden. In her younger days, she enjoyed dancing and playing tennis. Competition was extremely important to her; she was a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan and had no tolerance for losing. She followed many sports including football and golf. In fact, she was following the World Cup at the time of her death.

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou Coffin (Glenn) and grandson, Paul Andrew Dowling. She would also like to know that her legacy lives on in the hundreds of students she taught and the countless people she enriched with her wisdom and love.

Friends are invited to participate in the celebration of her life on July 30, 2026 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 115 St. Peter’s St. on the plaza in downtown Salisbury. Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 o’clock prior to the service which will begin at 3 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a contribution to HOPE, Inc. at P.O. Box 5113

129 Broad St.

Salisbury, MD 21802