Obituary of Virginia L. Palmatier

Schenectady-Virginia Palmatier, aged 96, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2010, at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center, Schenectady, NY. Virginia was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on May 4, 1914, daughter of George H. Leland and Hazel Miner Leland. She grew up in Dayton, Ohio, graduating from Steele High School and Ohio Wesleyan University. She married Robert A. Nevin, also of Dayton, in 1936. They later moved to Syracuse, New York, and then to Fayetteville, NY, raising their five children in Dayton, Syracuse and Fayetteville. After retirement, they also lived in Sun City West, Arizona, where Robert passed away in 1983. Virginia married Charles E. Palmatier, Jr., in Sun City West in 1986. They later moved to Schenectady, NY, where Charles passed away in 2006. Virginia's life was remarkable for her curiosity, creativity, and her dedication to education, first for her own children, and later for numerous primary-grade students in Manlius, NY. She made herself an expert in ceramics, copper enamel jewelry, photography and other arts and skills. Meanwhile she fostered development in her children who have distinguished themselves in music, art, engineering, education, and geology. Virginia earned a Masters and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Elementary Education from Syracuse University. She was a 50 year member of the PEO Sisterhood. In her retirement years, she enjoyed quilting, square dancing, photography, and travel. She and Charles were members of Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West, and volunteered their service for several years with Habitat for Humanity in Surprise, AZ. Virginia is survived by a sister, Ocie Paul, of Chicago, IL, a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Nita Leland, of Kettering, OH, and two sisters-in-law, Helen Leland and Harriet Leland. She is also survived by her five children and their spouses: Andrew Nevin of Vancouver, BC, and New Delhi, India; Robert L. and Mary Ellen Nevin of Niskayuna, NY, and Sun City Center, FL; Ginit and Harry Marten, also of Niskayuna; Mary and Robert Petrie of White Lake, NY, and Sun City Center, FL; and Hazel and Jerry Newton of Toronto, Ontario. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Hospice Foundation, or another charity of your choice.