Alma C Armstrong

Alma Claire Armstrong departed this life at 93 years old on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Community Hospice House, Merrimack, NH, after a sudden fall requiring hospice care due to her injuries. 

Alma was born August 02, 1930, in New York City, to Arch Armstrong and Elsie Maude Richards Armstrong. She grew up in Harlem, NY. She spent most of her time educating herself and supporting her family. Alma earned a B.A and M.A. at Rutgers University in June 1972, an M.ED at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in September of 1974, her C.A.G.S while at Mass. University in 1976, followed by work on a Ph.D. at MIT in the 80’s. She was an educated lady that excelled in everything she set her mind to. 

Alma was Assistant to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Coordinator at The Ford Foundation, an advisor at NEXUS, American council of education, Co-Founder of the Experiencing Architecture Program, and Administrative Assistant in Public Affairs and Urban Planning. As an educator, Alma was a Guest Lecturer at many different schools including the University of Harvard, University of Wisconsin, College of Public and Community Service, Boston Mass., and many more. She was one of the founders of the Mel King Community Fellows program at MIT, developing the Community Fellows program under the Urban Studies and Planning department. Alma was a board member of the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC). She helped to build two affordable housing in Boston’s Chinatown, the Oak Terrace, and the Metropolitan. She worked for the government as an administrator, eventually retiring from FEMA. Her accolades could go on, as she was an accomplished woman of distinction. 

It was by God’s grace that she was able to accomplish so much, while being a devoted grandmother to Peter J. Armstrong. Her love for him and her family was unmatched. She was that person who would help anyone who needed a helping hand. She was a true Unsung Hero. Her smile would light up the room. To know Alma was to love her. She was devoted to ancestry—interested in trying to discover and uncover our family history and legacy. She was a true lifelong learner, always seeking new ways to explore concepts, pursue new things, and improve herself and others. 

Alma leaves her grandson Peter J. Armstrong, whom she raised since he was a young child, to cherish her loving memory along with her siblings Samuel Marcus (Sam) Armstrong, and Leopold Constantine (Butch) Armstrong, sister, Rose-Marie Armstrong, a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. 

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Bettina Armstrong, and siblings Marie Lavern Armstrong, Edna Mae Armstrong, Lilly Bell (Elizabeth) Armstrong, Essie Lavester (Chubby) Armstrong, Cassandra Ann (Candy) Armstrong, Willam (Bill) Armstrong, Lincoln James (Jimmy)Armstrong, Joseph Hensley (Curtis) Wright, and Delano Carver (Cookie) Armstrong. 

The Cremation Society of New Hampshire has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information please visit www.csnh.com.