MaryAnn Eleanor Arnold
1951 – 2024
MaryAnn Eleanor Arnold (nee Forgione), of Lawrenceville, passed away on March 8, 2024 at the age of 72 after a lengthy and difficult hospitalization.
She was born in Boston, MA to Joseph Andrew Forgione Jr. and Josephine Lorraine Voto. MaryAnn grew up in East Boston going to the Boston Trade High School for Girls. She spent the last thirty years residing in Lawrenceville, NJ. In 1973 MaryAnn enlisted in the United States Air Force to be trained as a Medical Services Specialist. Her future husband, Stephen W. Arnold, proposed to her while they were both still in Basic Training and married her less than a year later after they finished their respective Technical Training Schools. Four years later, MaryAnn’s enlistment ended with the birth of their first child and she persuaded her husband to finish his Bachelor’s Degree and obtain an Air Force Officers’ Commission. During their 20 years with the Air Force they have been together to Texas, New York, Illinois, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia, England, and New Jersey. In 2009 MaryAnn obtained Certification as a Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist and worked briefly in a doctor’s office before health issues forced her to stop.
Her interests included her husband’s career, their home, and his hobbies, all of which she supported and shared. She cherished her children, their families, and her granddaughters, cooking, as well as cats, ceramics, sewing, needlepoint, the British Royal Family, travel, fine dining, soap operas, reading, classic rock music, movies, and hidden object computer gaming.
MaryAnn, during the past 18 years, was an active Officer in and Life Member of American Legion Post 414 and also a Member of its Legion Auxiliary. She also attended Mercer County Committee and NJ Department functions. She was a Life Member of the DAV as a Vietnam Era Disabled Veteran. She was a graduate of the NJ American Legion College Basic, Advanced, Club Management, and Chaplain Courses. Until her health prevented it, MaryAnn, with her husband, were delegates to the NJ Annual Legion Convention.
MaryAnn is survived by her partner of 50 years, Maj Stephen W. Arnold, USAF Ret., her children Aaron Joseph (Holli) and Elizabeth Ann, her grandchildren Aviva and Maya, her brothers Joseph and Anthony, sisters Patricia Deming and Sandra Frongillo, her sister-in-law Donna Hamblin Forgione, as well as many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, service & Legion comrades, and cherished friends.
MaryAnn was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Josephine Forgione.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Friday, March 15 at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, with American Legion Honors at 11:00 am. Private Funeral Services and Interment will follow at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Contributions in MaryAnn’s’s memory may be made to The American Legion Post 414, 100 Berwyn Place, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
I miss you mom. Be at peace.
Plenty of smiles and sometimes tears… My Sister, my Friend through all the years. RIP. I love you, you will be missed and never forgotten. You brought joy into my life, I will cherish the memories.😘
I will always cherish the days we grew up together. All our ups and downs. We had fun when we were stationed together in the Air Force. I miss you and love you my dearest sister. You are at rest now with Mom and Dad. I love you always. Be at peace.
Rest peacefully Auntie 💜
MaryAnn,
I loved you then,
I LOVE YOU STILL,
I always have,
I ALWAYS WILL.
Stephen
Mary Ann, I’m so glad we got to meet and spend some time together. Rest in Peace.
Although I did not know you personally in this life, we will forever be connected as female veterans. Thank you for your service. Many prayers for your loving family. Rest in peace ‘til we meet in Heaven, sister,
Christine E. Goetz-
1SG , US Army (ret.)
My big sister, rest in peace, no more Dr’s, no more needles, till we meet again, I love you. Stephen, Aaron, Beth a, Holli and girls, My deepest sympathy, may you find peace in your memories, love you
MaryAnn… I was fortunate and blessed to have spent some time with you during my visit to you & your family last August with your sister Sandra…I will always cherish the memories of my trip…you were a beautiful soul, full of kindness and warmth that I’ll never forget..my deepest sympathies to your family during this difficult time of grief and mourning .