Shmune Arslan

Shmune (Samuel) Arslan, age 94, a 43-year resident of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and former resident of Springfield and Worcester, Massachusetts, died Nov. 9, 2016.

She was born in Kharpoot, Turkey, the daughter of the Very Rev. Paul Samuel and Mary (Saliba) Samuel. The family emigrated to the U.S. in 1928. She attended Worcester schools and graduated from High School of Commerce in Worcester in 1940. She worked as a bookkeeper for Howard Glass Co. in Worcester and Home Insulation Co. in West Springfield, Massachusetts. She also worked in the admitting and business office at Western New England University and retired from the group pension department at Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co. after 21 years of service. Her husband of 49 years, Sargon A. Arslan, predeceased her in 1995.

She leaves her son, Michael Arslan, and daughter-in-law, Deborah Arslan, of Enfield; her son, Steven Arslan and his fiancée, Laura Riopelle, of Ludlow, Massachusetts; her granddaughters, Caitlin Byrnes, Kristin Deinstadt, Michelle Arslan, and Crystal Riopelle; her nieces, Jane Chapman and Mary Murad of New Jersey, Janice and Ann Lou Kazar, of Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Janet Farrell of Wilbraham; her nephews, John Arslen, of Worcester, Paul Samuel and Robert Zanolli, of California, and William Zanolli, of Hampden, Massachusetts; in addition to many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Growing up the daughter of the parish priest, she was very involved with the Assyrian Church in Worcester. She met and married the love of her life at St. Mary Church. The Arslan and Zanolli clan raised their children as one family in their grandparents' three-family home in Springfield filled with love, family, and many friends. Shmune and her sister-in- law Sarah Zanolli's Tuesday girls club night was a constant in her life. She was a strong, independent woman who loved her family and friends unconditionally. She was always blessed with the best neighbors.

The family would like to thank Julie and Ronnie Lavoie and Bruce and Judy Fitzgerald, who opened their homes and hearts and helped to care for her as one of their own.

Relatives and friends may gather with her family during calling hours Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield.

The funeral service will take place Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Syriac Orthodox Church, 1 Industrial Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. The very Rev. Fr. Maroutha Hanna serving since 2009.

For online condolences, visit

www.brownefuneralchapels.com