Palmina E. Boyd

Obituary for Palmina “Pal” Boyd

Palmina “Pal” Boyd passed away peacefully at Meadowbrook Nursing Home on July 4, 2026. She was born on May 25, 1924, in Altona, New York, the only daughter of George and Ellen Young.

Pal grew up during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped her strength, resilience, and practical nature. After graduating from Altona High School in 1941, she initially planned to become a hairdresser, and her father even built her a shop. However, she chose a different path and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to be with her brother Andy, who was attending welding school.

In Baltimore, Pal began working at Copper’s Ring factory, a defense plant producing copper components for military vehicles during World War II. She later became an inspector, a role she held until the end of the war. While living with three roommates, she met her future husband, Robert Boyd. They were married on February 7, 1948.

Pal went on to work for the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, where she earned several distinguished awards—achievements she was very proud of. She and Robert welcomed their son, Allan, on July 8, 1959. At that time, Pal left her job to focus on raising him. Once Allan began school, she returned to Social Security and also volunteered her time supporting school fundraisers.

Tragically, their son Allan passed away in August of 1979, a loss she carried with quiet strength.

After Robert retired from the News American printing company, the couple returned to their family homestead in Altona in 1982. After her husband’s death in June, 2003, she decided to move into Twin Oaks Senior Housing in November 2015. In January 2023 Pal became a resident of Meadowbrook Healthcare.

To say Pal was a talented seamstress is an understatement. She created and altered clothing for her husband, her son, and herself using her cherished 1918 Singer treadle sewing machine, which she proudly purchased for just $15. Her talents extended far beyond sewing—she knitted sweaters, crafted beautiful quilts and lap blankets. She made Christmas stockings, Barbie clothes, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and detailed cross-stitch pieces, including a poem titled Love written by her mother, along with several prayers. She even made an intricate wedding dress worn by four generations.

Over the years, including during her time at Meadowbrook, Pal knitted hundreds of hats for cancer patients. She frequently entered her creations in the Clinton County Fair, where she earned many “Best of Show” ribbons.

Pal and Bob shared a love of horse racing, traveling to tracks in Baltimore, Saratoga, and Florida during their vacations. She will be fondly remembered for her remarkable talent, her quick wit, and her common-sense wisdom. Her warm greeting—“Give me some sugars”, “who ’tis?” and her humorous saying about someone being full of themselves, “They’ve got their ass over their shoulder” brought smiles to all who knew her.

She was also known for her delicious, filled cookies and peanut brittle, which were favorites among family and friends.

She was a devoted Catholic. Pal was actively involved with Holy Angels Church, helping prepare harvest dinners and donating many of her quilts for fundraising efforts. She also cherished her regular trips to McDonald’s with her sister-in-law Joyce.

Pal’s strength was evident throughout her life—undergoing a knee replacement at age 86, a tooth extraction at 100, and driving safely for 75 years without a single accident or ticket before voluntarily giving up her license at age 92.

Her family will forever cherish the many stories, memories, and lessons she shared.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Joyce Young and her family, who she was especially close to: Kathy and Gary DeCelle, Carla and Brian Dragon, Lyle and Diane Young, Nancy and Tom Hawksby, her Cape Cod family: nephews, Paul Young and George Young and niece, Arinda Bowman, her Rouses Point family her niece Kathy Young, as well as many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as many of her husband’s family members.

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Ellen Young, her beloved husband, Robert Boyd; her son, Allan Boyd; her brothers Andrew, Bernard, Donald, and Alfred Young; her sisters-in-law Helen, Mary, and Irene; nephew, Chris Young, niece, Vicki Young, her aunts and uncles on both sides of her family and many dear friends.

Pal will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the North Country and Altona Fire department.