Arletta B. Behan

Arletta (Mana) Behan, Saratoga Springs, mother of nine, Yogi, and two-time Valedictorian, died peacefully on Murray Island , NY on July 6, 2014. Mana is predeceased by her former husband Edward; brother Francis; and sister Regina . Mana is survived by her brothers Arthur (Barb) and Robert; sons Mark, John (Cynthia), Paul (Debra Proctor) Timothy, Christopher (Andrew Dunham) and Daniel (Nancy); daughters Mary (Jeremy) Taylor, Monica (Eric Purcell), and Teresa; thirteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren.

Born in Syracuse to Francis and Blanche Belge on July 31, 1931, she was valedictorian of the class of 1948 at St. Vincent's High School in Syracuse, as well as valedictorian of the class of 1953 at Le Moyne College, and she received a Master's Degree, magna cum laude, from SUNY Oswego in Reading Education. While raising a large family, she served as the Director of Religious Studies at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Watertown, was Reading Specialist for Lyme Central Schools, Chaumont, NY, and concluded her teaching career in 1988, teaching reading and writing to inmates at Watertown Correctional Facility.

Despite leaving the classroom setting, Mana continued to share her teaching, and healing, gifts. As a licensed massage therapist, she developed deep interest and expertise as a specialist in cranial-sacral therapy. She founded Mana's Yoga Studio in Saratoga Springs in the early 1990's and was well-known in the Saratoga Springs community as a gifted spiritual counselor and yogi. She was a friend to everyone she met. Mana was yoga teacher to hundreds of individuals, and she was recognized as "Woman of Wisdom" in 2003 for her extraordinary contributions to spiritual and cultural growth in Saratoga County.

Two memorial services will be held: in the Thousand Islands area, on Sunday, July 13th, at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Fred Garry presiding, on the grounds of the
Antique Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY 13624; in the Saratoga Springs area, on Tuesday, July 15th at 5:30 p.m.at the Still Point Interfaith Retreat Center , 20 Stillpoint Road , Mechanicville , NY 12118.

Flowers for either service are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Le Moyne College, Office of Advancement, 1419 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214, or to Still Point Retreat Center.

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton and online family condolences may be made at .

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