Obituary of Anne M. Van Arnam

Anne M. (Fontannay) Van Arnam, age 91, passed away peacefully at Winchester Nursing Center on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  She was the beloved wife of the late Harold J. Van Arnam, Jr., with whom she shared 20 years of marriage filled with love, prior to his passing in 1979.

Anne graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1950.  She then went on to earn her nursing degree from Newton Wellesley Hospital, and worked as a registered nurse at the hospital for several years.  She met Harold “Hal” Van Arnam while he was stationed at Ft. Devens.  She and Hal married July 25, 1959. After getting married they lived in Kentucky, Connecticut, New York then settling in Burlington, MA.  They had four boys along the way.  Jerry, Doug, Greg and Phil, who they raised together.  After the passing of her husband, Anne raised the boys as a single mom.

After her husband’s passing, she worked at Fannie Farmer Candy in Burlington and then returned to nursing working at Carton Willard retirement home in Bedford, Ma.

She was a loving mother devoted to her faith, family, and church, especially St. Margarets.  She raised her children with a strong emphasis on these values.  She made sure that her boys attended mass regularly every week and all Holy Days.  She was very involved with St. Margarets CCD program as a teacher and coordinator of Grades 1 of thru 12 for many years.  Anne also dedicated herself as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.  She always attended the boys youth sporting events and activities, all the way thru High School and could always be seen in the stands.  She was a sports fan and her favorite team was the Red Sox.  She also loved the Kentucky Derby from her time in Kentucky and living close to Churchill Downs.

She enjoyed time with family and friends and liked to host Thanksgiving.  She enjoyed playing piano, walking with friends and spending time with the neighbors.  Growing up the Van Arnam's always had a dog.  One named Shadow a black lab.  The name Shadow was appropriate because she followed Anne around everywhere.  Anne loved dogs, and the dogs loved Anne.

Surviving Anne are her beloved sons, Douglas Van Arnam and his wife Patricia of Billerica, Gregory Van Arnam of Burlington, and Philip Van Arnam of Woburn; her three loving grandchildren, Kristyn May and her husband Gabriel of Littleton, Stephen Van Arnam of Billerica, and Michael Van Arnam of Billerica; her sister-in-law, Terry Fontannay of Burlington; her niece and nephew, Anne Canfield of Billerica and Michael Fontannay of Billerica, as well as many other dear relatives and friends.

Anne was the adoring mother of the late Harold Jerome “Jerry” Van Arnam III, who passed on June 5, 2005. She was also the dear sister of the late Frederick Fontannay.

Arrangements: Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Sunday, June 30th from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Monday, July 1st at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.