Josephine M. (Noe) Arena, 90, of Melrose, Malden and Boston's West End, died peacefully with her daughter by her side, at Massachusetts General Hospital, March 30, 2012.
Born in Boston's West End, January 9, 1922 to the late Domenic and Anna (Gaudino) Noe. She was a resident of Malden for sixty years and had been living with her daughter in Melrose the past twelve years.
Josephine was a loving, strong, socially outgoing, creative woman. She was extremely talented seamstress/tailor who shared her talents and hardwork freely with family, friends and her parish church.
Throughout her life she had held many respondsible positions. She was elected by fellow "stitchers" shop union chairlady to represent them in negotiations with the "bosses." For better wages and working conditions in many garment factories in Boston. She was a member of the Parish Council at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Malden and selected as the Parish's first "Extraordinary minister." She was for over fifty years, an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Maplewood, Malden Chapter who's mission is charitable works. During those years she chaired many commitees, was elected Grand Regent and later served as District Deputy for MA State CDA'S.
Josephine was doing all of this while taking care of her loving family, husband Joseph and children Annette and Gary.
She lived through the Great Depression, married her WWII Purple Heart, Infantry Ribbon awarded Veteran hero and was truely a shinning example of what has been called the "Great Generation."
Josephine was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Arena. Loving mother of Annette Arena of Melrose and Gary Arena and his wife Mary of Westfield and her only grandchild Angela Sherry and her husband Daniel of West Springfield. Predeceased by her siblings Joseph Noe of Somerville and Carmela Corrao and her late husband Charles of Stoneham. She is survived by her sister-in-law Bruna (Casali) Noe of Medford. Living siblings are Margaret Sullivan and her late husband William of Haverhill and Nicholas Noe and his late wife Alice of Peabody. She was also predeceased by brother-in-laaw John Arena and his wife Rose of Dorchester and sister-in-law Josephine Giunta and her husband Antonio of Roslindale.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street, Malden on Tuesday, April 3 from 6-8 PM. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, 770 Salem Street, Malden on Wednesday, April 4 at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Forestdale Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, MA Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.