Arlene M. Van Alstyne

October 12, 2025 at Yarmouth, ME. Arlene was born on June 5, 1937 to Harry and Alice Smith in Valatie, NY. She graduated from Martin H. Glynn High School in 1954. She was captain of the school’s cheerleading squad and was crowned School Girl Queen of the Chatham Fair in 1954. During this time, she had a pony and a beloved dog named Cindy.

In her younger years she enjoyed playing softball and was on a women’s bowling team.

Arlene had a long and fulfilling career, working with the United States Postal Service from 1961-2001, serving as Postmaster in Kinderhook, NY for the last five of those years.

She married Bill Van Alstyne of Stuyvesant in 1973. They were married for 43 years, and enjoyed traveling, enjoying their home overlooking the Hudson River, and spending time with close friends. Among the places they visited were Aruba, Alaska, Sedona, Las Vegas, Florida, and South Carolina. She also went on several trips with the local Senior Citizen’s group. She accompanied Bill to several of his WWII 34th Army Division Reunions.

Arlene was a member of the Stuyvesant Reformed Church, where she was a Choir member and served as Deacon and Elder. When she moved to Maine, she attended Pathway Vineyard Church in Brunswick.

She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. She also treasured many friendships and often was the one who made sure friends got together. She especially treasured her friendship with her sister-in-law Betty Van Alstyne.

She is survived by her children Valerie Bertram, Jolene McClintick, Darla Skiermont (Richard) and William D. Van Alstyne III. Grandchildren Jesse and Leah Bertram, Torri O’Leary (Brian), Jill Mescia (Mike), Sean Shattenkirk (Kate), Andrew Van Alstyne (Liz) and Hillary Takahashi (Nobuyuki). Greatgrandchildren Zoe Bertram, Henry O’Leary, Evelyn Mescia, William Dudley (Liam) and Clare Corrie Shattenkirk, Shayla, Lucy and Julia Van Alstyne, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother and father Harry and Alice Smith, her husband William D. Van Alstyne, Jr. (Bill), her daughter-in-law Linda Van Alstyne, her son-in-law Mark McClintick and her granddaughter Corrie Shattenkirk.

There will be two Celebrations of Life: In Maine on Oct. 24th at 1pm at Pathway Vineyard Church, 2 Columbus Drive, Brunswick, ME. In N.Y. on Nov. 15th at 1pm at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street, Kinderhook, NY.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to your local Alzheimer's Association or the ASPCA.