Nelda L. Armstrong

In Loving Memory of Nelda Armstrong

Nelda Armstrong, born December 13, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was a woman whose greatest joy in life was her family.

Nelda was the daughter of Milton Farmer and Alice Hall Farmer and grew up in Texas, attending Garland High School. She was one of three children, alongside her sister Linda (Roy) Owens and brother Ricky (Alva) Farmer.

It was in Texas that Nelda met the man who would become the love of her life, Jon Carroll Armstrong, at a USO dance. Their meeting was the beginning of a lifelong love story. They married shortly afterward and spent many wonderful years building a life and a family together. Jon was not only her husband, but her partner in all of life’s adventures. Even after his passing, the memories they made together remained a treasured part of Nelda’s life.

Nelda’s family was her world. She was a loving mother to Donna (Lynn-deceased) Purdy and Ellen (Jeff) Wasson, but becoming a grandmother brought her a whole new kind of happiness. Her grandchildren—Danielle (Andrew) Purdy, Ashley (Tim) Purdy, John Purdy, and Aiden Jarvis—held a very special place in her heart. And as her family grew, she was blessed to become a great-grandmother to Oliver Winchell and Layla Winchell, proudly taking on one of her favorite roles of all: Gigi.

Being Gigi was something Nelda truly loved. She loved watching her family grow, spending time with her grandchildren, and being part of the everyday moments that become the memories families hold onto forever. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she wasn’t simply a grandmother—she was Gigi, a name filled with love, comfort, and countless memories.

Nelda had a special place in her heart for children. She spent many years babysitting, allowing her to stay home with her own children while caring for many other children along the way. Later, she worked for more than 20 years as a receptionist at Community Care Pediatrics. She loved being around children, and it was easy to see that caring for them was more than just a job to her—it was something she genuinely enjoyed.

She also loved getting away and making memories with Jon. Every summer brought a trip to Maine, and every spring they traveled to Texas together. Those trips became special traditions and gave Nelda and Jon years of stories, laughter, and memories to share.

Nelda’s life was not about grand accomplishments or material things. It was about people. It was about the husband she loved, the children she raised, the grandchildren she adored, the little ones she cared for, and the family she was so proud of.

She will be remembered for her caring heart, her love of children, her devotion to her family, and the special happiness she found in being a mom and, most of all, a Gigi.

Nelda is survived by her daughters, Donna (Lynn-deceased) Purdy and Ellen (Jeff) Wasson; her grandchildren, Danielle (Andrew) Purdy, Ashley (Tim) Purdy, John Purdy, and Aiden Jarvis; her great-grandchildren, Oliver Winchell and Layla Winchell; her sister, Linda (Roy) Owens; her brother, Ricky (Alva) Farmer; and her extended family and friends who were blessed to share a part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jon Carroll Armstrong.

For those who knew Nelda, her greatest gift was the love she gave so freely. She leaves behind more than memories—she leaves pieces of herself in the people she loved, the children she cared for, and especially in her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry the love of their Gigi with them, and Oliver and Layla will grow up knowing just how much their Gigi loved them.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 21 from 4-7pm at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie, NY 12205. Burial will be held the following day, Tuesday, September 22 at 9:30am at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery,200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871.