Athanasia Maria Arbes

Athanasia Maria Arbes of Deal, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Thursday April 1st. Athanasia was born October 1, 1928 in Asbury Park, New Jersey to Helen S. and Spiros C. Michals. She was the eldest of four children, brothers Dean and George and sister Vannette. She attended grammar school and high school in Asbury Park. As a child, she danced with Miss Agnes Moore School of Dance at the opening of the Lincoln Tunnel in December 1937. Athanasia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgian Court College now University in Lakewood, New Jersey in 1950 and played the piano at her commencement ceremony. A lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore, Athanasia worked in many family-owned businesses growing up throughout high school and college. Following graduation from Georgian Court, she taught English at the Asbury Park High School for a brief time. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, she met her future husband, the late John P. Arbes at a Laconian dinner dance in New York City. Athanasia and John were married on October 14, 1951. Following her marriage to John they opened and operated Jonathan’s Candy Store on the Asbury Park boardwalk for over 25 years until John’s sudden death in 1978. Afterward, Athanasia worked with her brothers in the family owned and operated Neptune ConvaCenter nursing home. Athanasia’s Christian faith was particularly important to her and she was a faithful steward regularly attending services at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park now in Ocean Township, New Jersey. As a young woman, she was a member of the Daughters of Penelope. In addition, she regularly participated in the Church services singing in the Choir, playing the organ and reading from the Epistle. As an adult, she was a lifetime member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. Athanasia was a voracious reader her whole life who enjoyed all types of literature. Her love of learning led to a desire to travel to experience different cultures. She enjoyed her trips to destinations inside and outside the United States. Her foreign travels included many countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East where she was able to experience the customs and traditions of the local citizens. Athanasia’s family and their health and happiness was always in her thoughts and prayers. She was extremely proud of her three children, their spouses and her six grandchildren. Athanasia and her husband John raised three children. Athanasia was blessed to see her family grow and she is survived by her loving children, Peter and his wife Barbara, Spiros and his wife Katie and Elayna and her husband Spiro Pappas and six grandchildren, Athena, Jonathan, Dean, Ariana, Alexandra and Sabrina. In addition to her children and their families, Athanasia is survived by her sister, Vannette and her husband Michael Carousis as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Elvira Michals, Katherine Michals, Bess Stamas, Andrew and Sophia Arbes, Cynthia and Ernest Ladas, many loving nieces and nephews and five Godchildren. May her Memory be eternal. Considering New Jersey State mandated covid restrictions and in the interest of public safety, the family has requested a private ceremony. In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Athanasia’s memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 West Park Avenue, Ocean, NJ 07712 or Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter, 23 Vreeland Road, Suite 105, Florham Park, NJ 07932.

Athanasia Maria Arbes

October 1, 1928 - April 1, 2021