Arlene Marie Sopp, age 77, of Stratford, the beloved widow of John G. Sopp, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Arlene was born on August 6, 1949, in Bridgeport to the late Harvey and Winifred (Malstrom) Grindrod. She was a lifelong resident of Stratford, with the exception of the four years she was blessed to spend living in the Great Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, TN. Arlene was the owner of Lene’s Little Ones Daycare, where many of the children under her care quickly became family.

Survivors include her devoted daughters, Christine Grindrod, Allison Merrill, Shannon Sopp, and Jessica Markland and her husband, Jim. Arlene had 10 grandchildren: Caitlyn and Jonathan, Ryan and Joelle, Stephan Jr. and Sophia, Madisyn and Tyler, and Cayla and Angelo, who were adopted as grandchildren due to the special bond they formed at Lene’s Little Ones. She also leaves five great-grandchildren: Anthony, Mason, Capri, and Wren and Carter.

Arlene is also survived by her sisters, Donna Sivak and her husband, George, and Katherine Rundgren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband of 49 years, John, Arlene was predeceased by her grandson, Joshua Luis Alvarado, and her sister, Marjorie Bednarz.

Friends may call on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 4–7 p.m. at Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 16,2026, at 10:30 a.m., meeting directly at Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Stratford.