KATHLEEN ELIZABETH PALMER

1914 - 2014

PALMER, Kathleen Elizabeth (Healy) Died on December 19, 2014 in West Newton, MA. She was born in Boston, MA on April 18, 1914, the loving daughter of James and Mary Ann (McCaffrey) Healy. Kay's beloved husband, Leo L. Palmer, whom she married November 20, 1941 died on September 14, 1974. She was preceded in death by her loving parents James and Mary Ann, brother James, sister Rosemary and her husband Bert and her beloved son Leo C. Palmer who died on September 25, 2005. She is survived by her loving daughter Claire and loving son James and his girlfriend Sue, loving grandson Thomas and his good friend Ryan, loving granddaughter Kristine and her husband Kevin and their children Jacob and Abby, loving grandson Leo L. II, and Nancy the mother of Thomas and Kristine. Known throughout her life as "Kath" in her younger years and later as "Kay", she was a proud graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Roxbury campus which she supported each year since her graduation in 1932. Our Mom was selfless and also very strong. She was a dutiful daughter, the sweetest sister, a loving wife, nurturing mother, loving grandmother and great-grandmother, amazing aunt, caring cousin, a fabulous friend and a faithful Roman Catholic parishioner, to name a few. She had an incredibly big heart filled with love, forgiveness and patience. She was genuine and humble. She was graceful under pressure and very smart. She laughed and smiled a lot and looked for joy in the darkest of days. She had perseverance and strength when others would have faltered. Kathleen worked at McLellan's Department Store on Dudley Street in Roxbury where she met our Dad Leo who was originally from Adams, MA. She was a loyal member of the Blessed Sacrament Church Women's Club in Jamaica Plain until she moved to West Newton in 1972. Kay worked at the Wyman Street polls in Jamaica Plain for a number of years at election times, loved working at Jones Camera & Gift Shop in JP, and was a well-respected salesperson at Grover Cronin's in Waltham, working in the second floor women's sports apparel for 11 years. Our Mom had many close friends whom we affectionately called "The Girls". They would meet monthly at one of their homes for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. As her friends passed away Mom would say, "I have to make new friends." The family thanks Mom's physicians, Dr. Nicholas Mascoli, Dr. Regis Boudreau, Dr. Paul Birnbaum, Dr. Meena Sundaram for the excellent care they provided our Mom. Over the years office visits involved not only checkups but a chance for Mom to exchange updates on the family and to pass along a good joke. We will miss our Mom greatly but know that she will be joining our Dad, her parents, siblings, and her son to watch over us. Rest in Peace Mom. Visiting hours from 4pm-8pm on Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Mann & Rodgers Funeral Home, 44 Perkins Street, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard's Church 1523 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465 at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 23, 2014. In lieu of flowers Mom's wish is that you do a good deed for another.