Ruth Palen Lord

Ruth Palen Lord, 93, passed away peacefully at home in Voorheesville, NY on Thursday, July 27, 2023. 

Ruth was born in Kingston, NY and spent her childhood in Hurley, NY in her beloved historic family home.  She received her Batchelor’s degree in Education from Potsdam University before moving to Unadilla, NY to begin her teaching career. There, she received her Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta. 

Ruth met her husband, Sylvester A. Lord Jr., in Unadilla where they married and raised their family. After leaving teaching, Ruth served as the Tax Collector and Deputy Village Clerk for Unadilla for many years.  She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Unadilla, holding several positions in the church including Board member, treasurer, choir director, organist, and lay speaker.  She was also active in the Unadilla Community Foundation.  Ruth moved to Voorheesville in 2014 to be closer to family.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Sylvester A Lord, Jr; her parents, Ethel Elmendorf Palen and Claude G. Palen; her brothers, Peter (Eglantine) Palen, Willard (Alice) Palen, Norman Palen, and Harold Palen; her sister Shirley Palen.

Ruth is survived by her children Ann (Broderick) Walker of Marion, NY; Linda (Michael Abramo) Miller of Kenmore, NY; Laura (Jim) Minnick of Voorheesville, NY; James (Sara) Lord of Whitney Point, NY; and beloved grandchildren Broderick and Jeffrey Walker; Gabriel and Naomi Miller; Alexander and Thomas Minnick; Kyle Bush.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family would like to thank The Community Hospice in Albany and family friends Patricia Thomas, Leanne Adams, Tricinne Mauzon, and Beth Litz for all of their support, love and care.

Funeral Services will be held at the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home 123 Main Street Unadilla on Wednesday 8/2 at 1 p.m.  Rev. Ron Wenzinger will officiate.  Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Unadilla.  The family will receive friends at the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home on Tuesday 8/1 from 5 to 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208 (communityhospice.org) or the Community Foundation of Unadilla, NY, Inc. POB 608 Unadilla, NY  13849.  On-line condolences may be made at:   www.wmaddenfh.com.

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