Elaine Minnie Pond

Elaine Minnie Pond, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and faithful follower of Jesus Christ, passed away on January 26, 2026 at the age of 101.

Funeral arrangements are planned for June 6, 2026 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Brownville United Methodist Church. A memorial service at the church is to be followed by a graveside service and burial at the Brownville Cemetery. There will then be a return to the church for a time of food and fellowship.

Elaine was born to William and Doris Conklin on the family farm on Evans Rd in the Town of Hounsfield, New York. William and Doris Conklin not only ran the family's dairy farm (with the help of their children), but were President and Secretary-Treasurer respectively of the Brownville Cheese Factory for many years. They loved and were much loved by their children and grandchildren. William Conklin, born William Bell to Harry S. Bell and Emma Stanley Bell, was adopted at approximately the age of 2 by Herbert and Minnie Conklin. Elaine kept in touch with her biological parents' family all of her life. Elaine was the eldest and last survivor of the Conklin's 5 children. Her siblings included Leonard, Roland (Rolly), Shirley, and Joan. 

The Conklin farmhouse, built in 1905, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The farmhouse was built as a double-farmhouse, with one half of the house mirroring the other. As a child, Elaine was taught to play the piano and was led to her faith in the Lord by her grandmother, Minnie Gladwyn Conklin, who lived in half of her family's farmhouse. Minnie and Herbert Conklin started taking Elaine to the Brownville United Methodist Church when Elaine was approximately 4 years of age. Elaine's grandmother purchased the upright grand piano that Elaine later learned to play on, new in 1902. That piano is still used today by Elaine's grandchildren.  

 Elaine married Eugene Pond on October 16, 1948. They were married for 60+ years until his death on August 27, 2009. Gene and Elaine have 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.     

At the time of her passing, Elaine had lived in her home on Paddy Hill since 1955. While her children live out of state, she was looked after well by other family members, church members, postal clerks, neighbors, and many other friends. Her children visited every summer and spent time with her at a camp at Sand Bay on the St. Lawrence River. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her sister and brother in law, who had been spending their summers at Sand Bay for more than 50 years. 

 Elaine's hobbies included bowling, playing the piano and organ, playing cards with family, especially the game of "pitch," visiting garage sales with her sister and brother in law, and regularly remembering countless family members and friends with birthday and anniversary cards. Elaine last bowled in a bowling league at the age of 95. She played the piano and organ for The Brownville United Methodist Church for several years.    

 Elaine graduated Dexter High School in 1942. She attended the Watertown School of Commerce Business School beginning that summer. Upon completion in March of 1943, Elaine was hired by John Kellogg, who later became a good friend of the family, to work for the Law Offices of Phelps and Hudson in Watertown, NY as a legal stenographer. 

 After marrying Eugene Pond in 1948, she and Eugene moved to Waterville, NY, where Gene had a job with GLF. They lived in an upstairs apartment in the home of the Regans, with whom they became lifelong friends. Elaine worked for the Law Office of Fuess and Woodman as a Legal Stenographer while living in Waterville. Their daughter, Carol, was born in October of 1949 while Eugene and Elaine lived with the Regans. The Ponds moved to an apartment on Main St. in Brownville, NY early in 1953, where they lived when their first son, Errol, was born in June of that year. Eugene Pond purchased what he named the "Brownville Glen Park Dairy," delivering milk door to door throughout the Town of Brownville. The Ponds purchased their home on Paddy Hill, across the Black River from Brownville, in 1955. It was truly a fixer upper, with a hand pump for water in the kitchen and no indoor bathroom. Gene Pond said that, as long as the floors and foundation were good, they could make it work. The Ponds did not take long to renovate the home to include indoor plumbing and a bathroom. Eugene Pond took an 8MM movie of the removal of the old outhouse, a momentous occasion. That movie has since been transferred to DVD. Elaine's cousin, Harold Buckminster, built the family a two-stall garage big enough for Eugene's milk truck. Gene and Elaine's second son, Dale, was born in November of 1955. Their third son, Mark, was born in October of 1959.

 When her children were old enough and in school, Elaine returned to work, this time at the Jefferson County Courthouse as a legal stenographer for Supreme Court Justice Henry Hudson. After 13 years delivering milk, Eugene Pond put his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Cornell University to good use, obtaining a civil service job as a NYS Meat Inspector. When that job went Federal, Eugene became a NYS Dairy Inspector until retiring at the age of 65. Elaine's most recent job was with "Jefferson County Employment and Training," where she worked until her retirement. 

Elaine celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday October 20, 2024 at the Brownville United Methodist Church following the 11AM service. It was fitting that her birthday was on a Sunday, as Elaine had been attending that church for 96 years. The church had celebrated its 200th birthday in September of that year. Elaine had been an active member of the church for almost half of its existence. There was an impressive turn out of family and friends from multiple states and Canada. Members of the church put on a wonderful fun-filled show of love and affection, with the many friends and family members enthusiastically participating. Parts of the event and an interview of Elaine were filmed by local television and shown on that evening’s news. Elaine showed her elegance, wisdom, humor, and appreciation throughout the very special day.

When asked about her secret to longevity, Elaine responded with:

     1) "Trust in the Lord and be kind." 

     2)  "I had a good life, a good husband, and good kids. I really did!"

     It should also be noted here that Elaine always seemed at peace and content with her life.

Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.