Edythe (Hall) Boston
Edythe (Hall) Boston of Canon City, Colo., a Goodwell native, was inducted into the Panhandle State Association’s Alumni Ambassador Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, April 17, 2004, at the association’s annual meeting and banquet. In his nomination of this year’s co-recipient, Association Past President Troy Morris stated, “The first year that I was president . . . I met Edythe Boston. She has been at almost all the Spring Reunion banquets since that time and (has) celebrated her 60th year reunion.” Mrs. Boston is a Life Member in the Panhandle State Association of Alumni & friends.
Edythe Hall was born on a farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle, the daughter of Richard and Carry Hall. She graduated from the 8th grade at New Bethel and her family moved to a farm near Goodwell. Edythe attended secondary school at Panhandle A&M College, earning her high school diploma with honors. She enrolled in classes at the same college, now known as Oklahoma Panhandle State University, majoring in Home Economics and education. In 1933, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree and received a lifetime high school and 5 year teacher’s certificate.
When Edythe Hall and Sid Boston were married August 2, 1934, she resigned her teaching position as only single women were employed as teachers during the Depression. The Bostons had two sons and two daughters and lived in Goodwell and Guymon for 14 years. Edythe was active in the Methodist church, garden club, and Order of Eastern Star, eventually becoming a Past Worthy Matron. In 1948, Sid and Edythe bought a -5acre mini farm in Canon City, Colo., where they lived for 16 years.
Among her accomplishments, Mrs. Boston was president of both Rainbow Mothers and DeMolay Mothers, a leader of Home Economics 4-H clubs, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and Girl Scout leader. Edythe is a Methodist church member who has sung in the choir, taught Sunday School, sponsored the Youth Group and served as Superintendent of the nursery department.
Edythe Boston has been a member and supporter of the League of Families of POW-MIA’s for 38 years, working for a full accounting of American service people. Her son, Colonel Leo Sidney Boston is MIA in Vietnam. In 1971, Edythe and Sid went to Paris, contacting the Vietnamese ambassador to plead for more humane treatment of POW’s.
Mrs. Boston has been a member of the American Association of University Women since 1950, and had a chair donated in her honor at the Fremont Center of the Arts in March 2001. In that year, she was honored as Woman of the Year. Edythe was given a life membership in the Women’s Society of Christian Service, now known as United Methodist Women, and is Acting treasurer of the Evening Star Mission Circle.
In her creative efforts, Mrs. Boston has attained championships in bread making, jelly making, Governor’s cookie jar contest, and won the Cotton Bag Sewing contest two times at the Colorado State Fair. She also won the Grange sewing contest two times and recently received her 16,000 mile hiking stripe and in July, 1988, was honored as Colorado Recycler of the year. With her artwork she placed 2 nd in the Florence Flag Contest.
Edythe Boston has played bridge in the Royal Gorge Bridge Club, at Colorado State Prison (visiting only!), and the Canon City and Skyline Clubs. She has also competed in many regional tournaments, amassing over 1100 Master Points. Mrs. Boston now ranks Silver Life Master. She recently played in the Hawaiian Regional and was listed in the top 50 scores.
After writing poetry for thirty years, Edythe Boston published a 300-page book of her works, some of which have also been published in Cappers magazine. In 2003 her Blue Book of Gems #2 was published.