Sylvia (Shankman) Palley

WORCESTER - Sylvia B. Palley passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at the age of 95. She was born in Lynn, MA to Minnie and David Shankman. She moved at a young age to Worcester, where she lived for the rest of her life. She was predeceased in 2019 by Melvin Palley, her husband of 69 years and by her brother and sister-in-law Murray and Dikey Shankman.

After raising her three daughters, Sylvia worked in customer service for Martin Wallpaper, All America (1-800-Flowers) and Sears.

She was active in Hadassah and the Beth Israel Sisterhood. For over a decade, she and Mel were part of a study group through Congregation Beth Israel led by Rabbi Baruch Goldstein.

Sylvia maintained a warm and inviting home which showcased her extensive and well-tended plant collection. She was an avid reader for her entire life and was a volunteer librarian at the Flagg Street School library. She passed on that love of reading to her daughters. She was a talented baker and cook of traditional Jewish foods. Her recipes for knishes, kneidlach, and a wide array of baked treats live on through her children and grandchildren.

Sylvia was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by three daughters: Carolyn Mathers and husband David, Donna Palley and husband Steven Scudder, and Lisa Palley and husband René Engel. She will be missed by five grandchildren: Rachel Scudder, Jacob Scudder and wife Emily, Emma Scudder and husband Ian Maclellan, Chloe Mathers and husband Jake Kohlhas, and Thomas Mathers. She was delighted to welcome the next generation: Audrey, Alden and Arlo Scudder, Ezra Scudder Maclellan and Ori Scudder.

The Palley family is grateful for the wonderful care that she received at Eisenberg Assisted Living and the Jewish Healthcare Center. Thank you to the staff at Eisenberg, the extraordinary Margarets, and all of the lovely and caring JHC 5th floor staff that helped Sylvia live her last years with dignity and good humor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 9 at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Interment will follow at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester, followed by a Shiva gathering in the synagogue library. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609 (www.bethisraelworc.org), the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 (www.jhccenter.org), or a charity of the donor’s choice.