MARY LOU PALMER

MARY PALMER Obituary

PALMER, Mary Lou Aniko Farrell, 68, the beloved mother of Farrell Beth Palmer of Simpson-ville, Ky., and wife of 45 years to Peter Palmer of Temple Terrace, Fla., passed into God's hands October 19, 2011. Born to Arthur and Elizabeth Farrell in St. Johns, Newfoundand, Canada, November 27, 1942, she was one of nine children: brothers, Arthur Jr., (deceased), Joe and John of St Johns and Larry of Halifax, Nova Scotia; and sisters, Loraine Cahill, Elizabeth Murphy, Jeannie Baird and Gail Wall all of St. Johns. While a teen, she became part of the singing group "The Farrell Sisters," which appeard nationally throughout Canada on the CBC TV Network. In 1964, she was asked by her sisters to compete in the "Miss Newfoundland Beauty Pageant." She did so and she won. That same year, she won the title "Miss Dominion of Canada," and then went on to represent Canada in the "Miss International," "Miss Universe," and "Miss World Pageants," in which she was runner up. After finishing her commitment as "Miss Canada" in 1965, she immigrated to the U.S. to seek a career in the theater. In 1966, while doing the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" in San Francisco, Calif., she met her future husband, then an established "Star." That same year they were married. She became a leading lady and a "Star" internationally in her own right and toured in the theater and concerts in the U.S.A., South America, Canada and the Far East. She starred in many musicals, many at the Showboat Dinner Theatre in St. Pete including, "The Sound Of Music," "Music Man," "Carousel, " "The King And I," "Oklahoma" and "I Do, I Do!." Her last appearance on Broadway was in "Lorelie" with her husband and Carol Channing in 1973. One critic once said "If you missed Aniko Farrell's performance you missed pure magic." In 1988, when daughter Farrell was five, they decided to move to Temple Terrace, Fla., in order to provide stability for her. They decided to teach and coach children, teens and young adults. She was much loved by her students and extremely proud of the results she had with them. She taught them her successful skills and many have become theater performers on Broadway and appeared in Hollywood films and television. No less important was she to those who became lawyers, teacher and doctors. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. October 29, at the Temple Terrace Community Church, 210 Inverness Ave., 33617, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Temple Terrace Community church. Please communicate with the family by email.

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Published by TBO.com on Oct. 23, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for MARY PALMER

12 Entries

Roger Scraggs

August 20, 2022

So sad to discover she's gone - a lovely girl !

Connie Victor/Alfonso

October 31, 2011

Farrell and Peter
So sorry to hear about Aniko, I regret that I did not see you at the service on Sat. I went Sunday instead thinking it was then. My love and prayers go to you both she will be greatly missed.

Tori Lindley (Zischke)

October 30, 2011

Aniko had a strong impact on me as a child. I was the Gretl/Marta understudy at Showboat in 1977 and then Louisa in the 1983? production of Sound of Music when Farrell Beth was a baby. I went to see Aniko and Peter whenever they appeared at Showboat. When I was lucky as an adult to play Maria myself, I dedicated the run to Aniko, because my desire to play that role was completely inspired by my childhood experiences with her.
She will remain in my heart, as she always has, and I send loving thoughts to Peter and Farrell Beth.
Heavens make a star of her - she certainly was one here on Earth.

Cyn LoPinto

October 27, 2011

Aniko was a woman who lit up every room she entered. She was a compassionate, honest and generous soul who knew how to enjoy life. My daughter Madi was lucky enough to take voice lessons from Aniko for the last 5 years, as well as participating in a couple of summer camps with both Peter and Aniko back when she was younger Aniko's kind and nurturing disposition allowed her students to excel and gain the confidence needed for whatever challenge came next. As a parent, I especially enjoyed gabbing with Aniko catching up on the week's happenings at both the beginning and end of my child's lesson. Her conversations were as priceless as the skills she was teaching our children. While Aniko will be missed deeply, I will think of her anytime I see my daughter on stage knowing that she is a special part of each and every performance. As a family we were honored to have known Aniko and hope both Peter and Farrell are comforted by the love and admiration being felt from all of those she has touched.

Madeleine Edstrom

October 26, 2011

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Peter and Farrell Beth. We are so incredibly sad about the news.
You will be tremendously missed, but your beautiful voice, radiating charisma and passion will forever stay with us and continue to live in your students. Thanks for being the most amazing, caring, engaging and inspiring mentor and voice/acting teacher to my daughter for many years! Your beautiful voice lives forever in our hearts! Even your beautiful costumes that you so generously let your students wear! What a treat for the students to wear the costumes Mrs. Aniko wore on the big stages.
Never will I forget when you two would harmonize and sing all the Broadway songs together. It was like age or time didn’t matter. Sometimes the two of you were so excited that we had to run over and sing it for Peter, and then he would also join in. Nor will we forget the amazing musical theatre summer camps and shows that Aniko and Peter did with their students.

?I will never forget the words my daughter said when she was around 7, and that is still true 8 years later. “If I could choose to have a twin sister on this earth it would be Mrs Aniko.” We have now lost a piece of our heart, but your light, voice and passion will forever be carried on in those who were touched by you.

Ana Punzak

October 25, 2011

I am so saddened by the loss of such a beautiful, caring, inspiring mentor to my daughters. My oldest was lucky to have played Maria as a 14 year old with Westchase Community theatre. The moment we told Aniko, she immediately told her she could wear her Sound of Music costumes. What a special treat! We stood together in amazement at how they fit her like a glove...no alterations needed! Best of all was Aniko's willingness to share her secrets for a successful show and how our daughter had to become Maria and treat those kids like her own...tough thing for a 14 year old to undertake but Aniko succeeded in teaching her the art of becoming your character. She also helped our youngest, behave and sing like Brigitta! Aniko always found the right words to bring out confidence and smiles in her students, which she passionately loved to teach and then come watch them in action.

I will miss your voice, your warm-up tunes, your smile, your connection. Peter and Farrell thanks for sharing Aniko with us. Every free moment that she felt strong enough, she gave her energy to the kids that love to perform and never once could they tell the struggles she was encountering...that is a class act! Aniko's energy and magic will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched. I pray for God's strength through this very difficult time for her family, friends, and students. May each of us that was touched by her, spread her light for generations to come! .... I love my M & M's...

October 24, 2011

Aniko loved to take youngsters under her wing. I'm so glad Rhiannon had a chance to work with her. Peter and she were so wonderful to show up to a production of Little Abner at Rhiannon's school, something that made Rhiannon very popular--and both of them knew their presence would have that effect. It meant so much to a middle school girl. Thank you, Peter and Aniko. You lit a candle in our child's life that will never go out. You both are beautiful people.

Aniko is now at peace. For you. Peter, we wish the pain could be turned into contentment, knowing that Aniko's struggles are finished and she waits to join you again someday.

Ryan and Shari

Chet Grissom

October 24, 2011

I was saddened to hear this news. I was one of her children in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the Showboat Dinner Theater in 1977, which ran for 8 months. I was 12 years old then. Her beauty was matched by her talent, compassion, caring, and humility. That show had a huge impact on me...and to this day I find myself going back in time to 1977 and the Showboat. Years later it came as a complete surprise that my nieces had become her students - and so it continues. Susan, I remember those performances with a broken ankle :-)
"So Long, Farewell..."
My condolences to Peter and the family.

Jason Betz

October 24, 2011

It is with a heavy heart that I comment on the passing of the wonderful Aniko Farrell Palmer, a talented, funny, and all around fantasic lady. I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Palmer when I first moved to Tampa. I had a part in a musical with the Masque of Temple Terrace players, and she and her husband, Peter, were there for guidance and support - both of which they were never afraid to give out. And to a nervous, gangly actor who had yet to discover some of the important lessons of being an actor, their support and guidance was invaluable. I was pleased to have known her and to have called her a friend, and I will certainly never forget her. I extend my deepest condolences to Peter, and their lovely daughter Beth, and pray they find peace in this dark time. I'm sure God will bless your family, because he'll be grateful for the wonderful performances Mrs. Palmer will be treating Him to from now on.

John Regis

October 24, 2011

The email that I got from Peter brought me to tears. I was lucky to have known her as Aniko and played MAX with her and Peter in "SOUND OF MUSIC." She was, without doubt, one of the most professional and lovely people to work with in my entire career. She was endowed with a beautiful voice and a personality to match. She will be sadly missed by many people whose path she crossed over the years. My heart and love goes out to Peter and Farrel. Rest easy dear Aniko.

Susan Dorsey

October 23, 2011

I am saddened to hear of Mrs. Palmer's death. I was just telling my children the other day ho was I truly amazed with her when I watched her perform the Sound of Music with a broken ankle/foot, dance and sang the whole production in a cast. I will never forget anything I saw her in. What in inspiration she was. My prayers are with her family.

Lydia Massias

October 23, 2011

My deepest sympathy goes out to Peter and Farrell Beth. I has been a a pleasure and honor to have known Aniko since 1989 though my involvement in Masque Community Theater. She was a talented performer and a wonderfully generous woman. She will be greatly missed.

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