Search by Name

Evelyn Palen

1916 - 2012

Evelyn Palen obituary, 1916-2012, Balmville, NY

BORN

1916

DIED

2012

Evelyn Palen Obituary

Evelyn Owen Palen

BALMVILLE - Evelyn Owen Palen died Wednesday November 21 at her home in Balmville, NY. She was 96 years old.

Evelyn Irene Owen was born October 3, 1916, to Edward Owen and Iva MacNary Owen, at home, in Fostertown, NY.

She attended a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy at age 15. She was later declared emancipated from her parents and lived on Bannerman Island with her brother Leonard Wayne Owen, the assistant caretaker, and his family.

At 19 she went to Delhi Agricultural School and took both Secretarial and Dairy Commercial studies, graduating a two-year program in one year. She met Wade Palen on her birthday at Delhi. They loved to dance. They were married at the Palen Farm on Creekside Road, south of Kingston, on January 22, 1938. Over the years they lived in Kingston, Auburn, Walden, New City in NY; Ridgewood, NJ; Wilton and Stamford, CT; Tacoma, WA; and finally four miles from where she was born, in Balmville, NY.

From 1946 to 1952, Wade and Evelyn built their unique home of concrete and cinder block in Walden, NY. Evelyn carried a concrete block in each hand while walking a narrow beam. She mixed all the concrete and all the mortar for the entire house herself while Wade created the forms, poured the concrete, and laid all the block. The house was designed to be efficient and easy to clean.

Evelyn worked as a secretary in law firms in Walden and then for New York Trap Rock. She was the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Lone Star Industries in NYC and in Greenwich, CT. She was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors of Lone Star Industries.

She was active in the Walden Women's Club, serving as a President and also as a Resolutions Chairwoman. In the 1950's she created Walden Day to showcase town businesses; the children were excused from school to attend. Evelyn and Wade taught square dancing to Explorer Post 33 and helped young boys grow into solid young citizens. Many still write to her with their gratitude. She served on the Board of the Bannerman Castle Trust and occasionally gave lectures about the Island on river cruises to benefit the Trust.

Evelyn attributed her good health and longevity to her loving family, hard work, and yoga.

Evelyn was predeceased in 1993 by her husband of 55 years, Wade. She is survived by her devoted son, Stanleigh Wade Palen and his wife Mary, of King George, VA; her daughter E. Virginia Donovan, of Poughkeepsie, NY; her grandchildren Catherine and her husband Andrew Geislzer and children Emma, Katrina, and Wade of Fairfax, VA; Amy and her husband Dr. Michael Wentworth and children Benjamin, Christina, and Jason of Silverdale, WA; Caroline and her husband Jeffrey White and their children Corinne and Jorn of Washington, D.C.; and William Donovan of Asheville, NC. She was predeceased by her brother Leonard Wayne Owen and her half-brothers Denton, Edwin and Stanley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be considered to Bannerman Castle Trust, PO Box 843, Glenham, NY 12527-0843.

A celebration of her life will be held on December 6, 2012 at 6 pm at The First Reformed Church, 70 Scofield Street, Walden, New York. All are welcome.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal from Dec. 2 to Dec. 5, 2012.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Evelyn Palen

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

What a gal! I'm glad we had the chance to meet her when she visited the Whites in Washington, DC. She was elegant and poised until the very end of her life. She'll be missed by many.

Jane and Jim Kessler

December 3, 2012

My grandma is an inspiration for me every day as a woman and a mom. She was ahead of her time.

Caroline White

December 3, 2012

What a remarkable woman! She truly was a trailblazer for women especially. She was not limited by her gender despite the norms of the cultural times. We feel so fortunate to have been able to spend special times with her. She will be remembered with admiration, inspiration and much love. May she rest in peace.

Kathleen and David Baldrica

December 3, 2012

Wow, What a remarkable and interesting life. Rest in peace.

KK

December 2, 2012

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Evelyn Palen's name

Memorial Events
for Evelyn Palen

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Evelyn's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Evelyn Palen's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more