VOORHEESVILLE — Alice “Joanne” Arpin, a kind and spiritual woman, died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

“Joanne joined her beloved husband of 41 years, Gerald, and infant son, Gary, for their long-awaited reunion in Heaven,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 87.

“My mother didn’t need much,” said her daughter, Sharon Cillis. “She just loved company, her family, and going places.”

Born on June 13, 1930 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mrs. Arpin was the daughter of the late Alice and Michael Hayes. Her father drove a public-transit bus and her mother was a homemaker.

“She spent time watching sports with her dad. He called her ‘Pansy,’” said Ms. Cillis.

Her family moved to different places in Massachusetts and Mrs. Arpin always enjoyed beaches and being near the ocean, her daughter said.

She met the man who would become her husband, Gerald E. Arpin, through his sister, Meriam. “My father was a World War II veteran; he had a Purple Heart,” said Ms. Cillis. His father had died and, as the oldest, Mr. Arpin looked after his mother. “With the GI Bill, he bought her a home in a nice neighborhood, moving her out of a lower-income neighborhood. My mother made friends there with Meriam Arpin.”

The Arpins moved to Voorheesville in 1968 and raised their family there. Mr. Arpin worked for 30 years as a supervisor of meat inspectors for the United States Department of Agriculture in Albany, retiring in 1978. “My mother didn’t work,” said Ms. Cillis. “Her job was to raise the kids and take care of the house.”

Her daughter also said, “She enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids.” Her family wrote, “Joanne was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.” Her grandchildren called her “Grams.”

Mrs. Arpin belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary 1493, to the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 7062, to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and to the Town of New Scotland Seniors. “She loved going on trips with the seniors,” said Ms. Cillis.

She was active within St. Matthew’s Church and was on the Altar Rosary Society. “She truly enjoyed Father Chris’s sermons and spiritual talks,” her family wrote. After her husband died, in 1999, Mrs. Arpin went to Mass at St. Matthew’s almost every day, Ms. Cillis said.

After Mass, Mrs. Arpin would gather with her women friends for breakfast at Emma Cleary’s Café, her daughter said. After breakfast, they might decide on going to a movie or some other event.

“She lived independently until October,” her daughter said. When her health declined, she moved to Teresian House. “She was at peace with that. She made friends there,” said her daughter. Mrs. Arpin always loved to read, and joined a book club at Teresian House.

“My mother was very easy going and very kind,” said Ms. Cillis. “She made friends wherever she went.”

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   Alice “Joanne” Arpin is survived by her children, Edward M. Arpin of Albany, Carole J. Davis and her partner, Keith Law, of Voorheesville, Sharon L. Cillis of Voorheesville, and Janet M. Coton and her husband, Tim, of Voorheesville; her five grandchildren, Bryan Davis and his wife, Lexie, Michelle Budge, Joseph Cills and his girlfriend, Katie Piercey, Melanie Krause and her husband, Jeff, and Jeffrey Coton; and two great-grandchildren, Jude Budge and Madelyn Krause.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Anthony Gatto; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Irene and Charles Antinoro; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Her brother and sisters — Dorothy Borg and her husband, Sigbert; John Hayes and his wife, Mary; and Helen Gatto — died before her as did her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Gloria Arpin, and Meriam and Ben Miele, and her son in law, Joseph J. Cillis.

The family extends their gratitude to the compassionate staff at The Teresian House and at E-5 at Albany Medical Center Hospital for providing care and support during her final days.

   At Mrs. Arpins request, there will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s Church at 25 Mountainview St. in Voorheesville on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery at 1389 Central Ave., in Albany, followed by a celebration of her life, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Voorheesville American Legion at 31 Voorheesville Ave. in Voorheesville.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Church, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville, NY 12186.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer