Arleen was born in Thunder Bay, ON November 30, 1928. She was the youngest of two girls born to Dorothy and David McKechnie. She was predeceased by her husband, sister, and beloved grandson Scott.

In 1951, she met the love of her life, Frank Kovac.

They were married on May 7, 1951 in Fort William, ON. In 1952, they packed up all of their worldly belongings and drove to the Yukon. There they fell in love with the Territory and decided to make it their home. In 1957, their son Kim was born, followed by their daughter Diane in 1959. In 1965, they welcomed their second son, Mike. Their family was complete.

Mom worked with DND, Northeast Highway Systems from 1955 to 1957 and then held an office job in various departments of YTG, lastly in the Vital Statistics department until 1989.

Both Mom and Dad loved the outdoors and spent every weekend with their kids at their special place, Kathleen Lake. Dancing was a favourite pastime, along with some great parties with life long friends and families.

In 1989, both retired, they enjoyed a home at Marsh Lake. They eventually moved back to Whitehorse, where Mom lived after Dad passed away in 2005. She met (or rather, re-met) George Van Vugt, remarried and moved to Chilliwack at the age of 85.

She resided there until she passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024. She leaves to mourn, her children Kim (Jill), Diane, Mike (Tanya), grandchildren Jeremy (Hillary), Leigh, Brooke (Jer), Lindsay (Fiona), Haley (Mitch), great-grandchildren Keely, Graicee and Copper, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held March 23, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Whitehorse.