Eleanor Woodruff Palmer

1922 - 2017
Eleanor Woodruff Palmer died peacefully on May 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she had been receiving medical care in her final years. She was 94.

Born on November 5, 1922, Eleanor Palmer was a long-time resident of New York City, having moved to Greenwich Village from her native Texas just after World War II. Ms. Palmer had a long career in New York as a graphic artist, creating art for greeting cards and household products.

Eleanor Palmer was a brilliant, independent, multi-faceted person. She had a dry wit and never lost her sense of humor. She loved opera, photography, hiking, reading, travel, and public television. She never had children, nor did she marry, but her life was full of books, cats, opinions, and extended family. She was the last survivor of her four siblings: William Palmer, John Palmer, Thomas Palmer, and Robert Palmer. She is survived by many of the Palmer brothers' family descendants- nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Ms. Palmer lived in what ultimately became the last rent-controlled apartment in a building a stone's throw from Gramercy Park and Union Square. She resided in her apartment for more than 50 years, remaining a neighborhood fixture even as her building was transformed from a community of permanent residences to corporate furnished short-term rentals. Leaving no family who might assume her lease, an era of affordable housing in her neighborhood has slipped away with Ms. Palmer's passing, and ought to be mourned with her.

A celebration of Eleanor Woodruff Palmer's life will be held at the Valley Green Inn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 7th, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the New York City Parks Foundation.