Mary Frances Arpante (Mary Sunbeam), age 82, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026.

Mary Arpante was an amazing lady and mother of three girls and grandmother to five grandchildren.  She was born on July 4, 1943 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Henry Arpante and Mary Popp.  Her childhood in Pittsfield was filled with fond family events, close and lasting friendships and the beauty of being in the Berkshires.  She was educated in parochial schools and then transferred to Pittsfield High School where she was a star athlete and academic achiever. After graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1961, Mary moved to Washington D.C where she began her career with the government, was married and started her family.

Mary was incredibly industrious, a hard worker with unsurpassable energy. While raising her children she co-owned and operated a restaurant in Georgetown, was an Avon representative, a realtor, and started her own wellness business.  In her early fifties she retired from the government to spend time with her grandchildren, pursuing her desire to teach and write children's books. She also began her Positive Education business in which she copyrighted the motto "You are Important!"

Mary met life's challenges with courage, perseverance and a positive attitude.  She brought fun to all family activities and enriched family time with her laugh, songs and latest stories. Mama Mary shared that same enthusiasm with everyone she met, always with a "You are Important!" message.

Mary is survived by her children Stephanie (Richard Guadagno), Eugenia (Mark Kramer) and Genevra (Michael Guagliano); and grandchildren: Joshua, Sophia, Naomi, Nicholas and Angela.  She also leaves behind two siblings: Jean Phaenuf and Barbara Arpante, and her niece, Monique Leyda.  Mary was predeceased by her sister, Carolyn Leyda.

The family will receive family and friends for a service at the Bethel Mennonite Church, 18425 Runions Creek Road, Broadway, Virginia on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00 am.