Arlene Y. Salmon

Port Leyden - Arlene (Youngs) Salmon, 88, formerly of Whitton Place, widow of Ralph W., passed away on August 11, 2010 at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, where she had been a resident for a brief time. She was born in the Town of Lowville, on December 11, 1921, a daughter of James L. and Gladys S. (Denslow) Youngs. She grew up on the Youngs family farm on the Denley Road in the Town of Leyden, and graduated from Boonville Central School, with the Class of 1940. On July 6, 1940, Arlene was united in marriage with Ralph W. Salmon at the United Methodist Church of Clayton, NY. After that, the couple lived on the Bauer Farm on Mohawk Hill. In 1943, they purchased the former Norton Dairy Farm on East Road, near Port Leyden. Together the couple operated this farm for 31years, moving to Lincoln Street in Port Leyden in the early 1970¿s. During the operation of their farm, the couple took care of several foster children. Thereafter, Mrs. Salmon was employed at Sunset Nursing Home, as a nurses aid for a total of 24 years, first in Constableville, and then in Boonville. She was also employed for Robert Harvey in the operation of the Ben Franklin 5 & 10 Cent store, located in downtown Boonville. Mr. Salmon died on January 17, 1997. Mrs. Salmon was a member of Boonville United Methodist Church, and many other organizations including: Dewey Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Port Leyden, where she was the chapter Matron, Past Matron, and Chaplin for many years; the Dewey Chapter O.E.S. Old Forge, where she served as Electa (after the two chapters merged); a member of the Oriental Rebekah Lodge, Boonville, serving as Noble Grand, Past Noble Grand, and Chaplin for several years; the Boonville Chapter AARP, the Port Leyden Senior Citizens, serving as Secretary and Sunshine Secretary in both organizations for several years; the Constableville Senior Citizens; the Port Leyden Senior Citizens; the Singing Waters Senior Citizens of Glenfield; the Lewis Co. Council of Senior Citizens and served on the Snow Belt Housing Board of Whitton Place Apartments of Port Leyden. Arlene greatly loved her children and all of her grandchildren. Her greatest pleasure in her life was being a homemaker and caring for her family. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David (Diane) Salmon, Mocksville, NC, four daughters and three sons-in-law; Diane S. Rice, Rose, NY, Donna (George) Webster, Boonville, Dorlene (Preston) MacDiarmid, New Hartford, and Debra (Wendell) Roberts, Port Leyden; fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Arlene was predeceased by a grandson David J. Salmon, on April 5, 1991; by a brother, Kenneth J. "Kenny" Youngs, on January 24, 2009, and by a sister, Dora Y. Gilroy on October 24, 2000. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 13, 2010 at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, where Rev. William A. Mudge, pastor of the Boonville United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Port Leyden Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Sunset Nursing Home Patient Activity Fund, 232 Academy Street, Boonville, NY 13309, the Boonville United Methodist Church, or the Port Leyden Ambulance Fund. Please use the "Sign Guestbook" link below to leave an online message of sympathy or to share a memory of Arlene.