Sally Arnds Willette

Niskayuna - Sally Arnds Willette passed away on Wednesday, February 25, after a short hospital stay. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family and long-time friends.

The eldest daughter of Frederick Arnds and Eulia Salisbury, Sally was born in 1942 in Niskayuna, NY, where she lived her entire life as a beloved friend, trusted confidante, and ever-present neighbor.

Sally attended Niskayuna Public Schools and was part of the first class to attend Niskayuna High School for all four years of her secondary education. She later attended Syracuse University and Russell Sage College before graduating with a degree in History. Sally worked for Schenectady City Schools as both a teacher and administrator. While working and raising her family, she also earned two Master's degrees from the College of Saint Rose. Somehow Sally also found time to co-author a children’s book with two dear friends. Driven, tireless, smart, and strong-willed—but also warm, kind, and, let’s be honest, a little bit wacky in the best possible ways—Sally was also a true feminist long before that term really even existed.

Sally was first married to Francis Willette, with whom she had two daughters. She later married Hugo Irizarry-Quinones.

Throughout her life, Sally displayed and shared her infectious positivity, offbeat sense of humor, one-of-a-kind laugh, and love of fun and adventure. Family and friends can still hear her trademark greeting of “Hi-ho!” upon happily entering their homes. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. In the 1970s, she and Frank took their young daughters and their family-size tent on two six-week camping trips, one across the United States and another to Europe, where they explored the continent in a rented Ford Fiesta. Obviously, this was a borderline insane adventure that would make most parents shudder, but one that Sally eagerly embraced as a tremendous learning and life experience for her girls, always cherished, and spoke of often.

Sally was simply one of the all-time great caring, loving people who devoted herself entirely to family and friends…even while feeding her notorious sweet tooth by sneaking any chocolate within a five-mile radius while (she assumed) no one was looking.

Sally is survived by her daughters, Jocelyn (John) Edwards of Florida and Utah, and Celia (Mark) St.Amant of Colorado; her four grandchildren, Emma Claire, Henry Leighton, Harper Mae, and Graham Louis; her sister, Susan Braidwood and her husband, Hugo.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the summer of 2025. Arrangements are made by Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.cannonfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, Sally requested that contributions in her memory be made to the Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady, 53 Maple Ave, Schenectady, NY 12302 or a charity of your choice.