Judy McManus Palinkas

October 25, 1940 - March 17, 2022

Judy McManus Palinkas, age 81, passed on March 17, 2022, at Heritage Hall in Leesburg, VA after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Binghamton, NY on Oct. 25, 1940, the middle child, of John Terrence McManus and Mary Louise Sheehan McManus. She grew up in Elmira on Grove Street and attended Notre Dame High School. Judy was predeceased by her parents, her older brother Terry, her younger sister Mary Lou, and Her daughter Kathleen. Judy is survived by her husband Al, her daughter Pam Forstell, husband Scott and sons Luke and Nick, Mark Palinkas, his wife Leighanne, their children Jack, Will, and Holly, daughter Trish O’Day, husband Mike, their children Michael, Katie, Sean, and Sarah, son Dan Palinkas, wife Jill, and sons Aidan, Logan, and Mason. She is also survived by her older sister Maureen Smith and her younger brother Michael McManus. Judy worked for New York Telephone where she was a sales representative. She loved her job, especially the sales aspect. She frequently came home with awards for her efforts. Her proudest moment occurred when she won a statewide sales contest and was invited to New York City to accept her award. Judy was an adventuress and lived in Elmira, NY, Marshall, MI, Horseheads, NY, Seoul – ROK, Hong Kong, and retired at her home in Keuka Lake. Judy had a passion for helping others. She was active in community programs: Horseheads food pantry, Penn Yan Christmas for the needy, Penn Yan food pantry, and regularly took communion to the Penn Yan nursing home. Judy loved getting friends and family together. For 25 years, Judy & Al hosted an incredible July 4th weekend where they opened their home & hearts to many. All were welcome & looked forward to it year after year. Judy, aka Mom, Grammy, Aunt Judy, was incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to everyone. Judy had a gift of relating to others and making everyone feel very welcome & loved. If you were sad or happy, the first person you would call was Judy because she always shared in your joys & lifted you when you were down. Judy was a wonderful cook, an avid reader, enjoyed taking care of her lake property, and was especially fond of her summer flowers. She would spend hours nurturing them. Judy will be missed by everyone she touched. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your local Alzheimer’s Assoc. A memorial service will be held at St. Michael’s Church in Penn Yan, NY on May 28 at 10:00AM. She will be interred in the family plot at St. Mary Our Mother’s Cemetery in Horseheads, NY.