Emily Powell Palmer
March 1, 1929 - October 26, 2023
In loving memory of Emily Powell Palmer, born in San Francisco, CA, March 1, 1929. Attended by close family and Hospice, Emily peacefully passed away October 26, 2023 in Woodside, among the redwoods she cherished.
Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, businesswoman, and champion of the Excelsior districts's Balboa High School and Alumni association, Emily made lasting and unforgettable impressions everywhere she ventured and with all people she met.
Survived by her daughter, Cassandra Cosme De Pree, son-in-law, Dirk De Pree, grandchildren, Heidi, Alexandra, Justine, Danielle, Brett, Brady and great-grandchildren, Bethany, Brandi and Sonora; her son, Leifur Magnusson III, grandchildren, Freya, Laura, Bryndis, Marc, Meka, and Hayden and great-grandchild, Lyla; stepchildren Caroline Sumrall, John Sumrall, Melinda Clarke and families; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and dear family and friends.
Emily was preceded in death by her beloved son Mark James; parents: Llewellyn (Lew) Powell and Clara Sanchez Powell; husbands: Leifur Magnusson II, Ben Sumrall, James Palmer; and sister Gwendolyn Powell Podesta.
As beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, ever caring, vivacious, humorous, and wise, Emily shared her talents to help her community. Her accomplishments include:
First Executive Director/Secretary (1960's -1977) of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists (WAVC) in San Francisco.
Member of NCV Boxer's Association, Lions Club, Native Sons, SF History/Museum Association and recipient of many awards and honors for community service throughout her life.
President Emerita of the Balboa High School Alumni Association after 50+ years of service. In remembrance, please consider donating to the Balboa High School Alumni Association's New Gateway Project fund in her honor.
A private memorial will be held for family and friends at a future date.
Emily's memory will forever warm our hearts. She will be profoundly missed. May her memory be eternal.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Nov. 10, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Emily Palmer

Sponsored by Tulip Cremation- California.

23 Entries

Thora Magnusson

November 6, 2024

Emily, the birds are still singing your praises and the bees are still buzzing about your life. The flowers bloom in your honor. We remember how much you added to our lives. I love you.

John Trasvina

November 5, 2024

I share Is-e Hogan's admiration and appreciation for Emily and her tireless work for San Francisco public schools. Many times in our meetings over the past year, I've thought about Emily, wished she were still part of the effort, and thought about how she would handle a situation. She continues to inspire and guide.

John Trasvina
Past President
Lowell Alumni Association

Isabel Nadel Hogan

November 4, 2024

When I saw this post, I could not let it pass without saying how much Emily is missed. She was not only the glue holding the Balboa alumni together - she was the glue that held all SF public school alums together. She is so missed and will be in our hearts forever. Isabel (Is-e) Hogan, Lincoln High Alumni Assn .

Christine blue

May 31, 2024

I graduated from Balboa highschool in 1997 and my mom graduated from Balboa highschool in 1972 I knew emily Powell at the move up and I still have my senior sweater my highschool diploma etc I also graduated from James denman middle School in 1993 Christine blue

Glenn & Marie Johnson

December 31, 2023

God Bless you Emily. We will all miss you so as Balboa High School over the year's. Glenn Johnson

Gloria J Hassan

November 23, 2023

Emily was always beautiful inside and out. Your smile and kindness will always be remembered. I'm sure you're organizing the angels and boosting their spirits. As a fellow Balboan thank you for the years of wonderful celebrations with reunions, picnics, and cruises.
Love you dearly
Gloria Hassan (Gutierrez)

Dino Nelson

November 18, 2023

My condolence goes out to the family may your soul rest in peace

Robin Grider

November 16, 2023

My family had the great pleasure of knowing Emily for the last 20 years. My father got to know Emily through various Old Timer's events and due to Emily's efforts, he helped support Balboa even though his alma mater was Lowell!

Emily was a spitfire and a force of nature! She had the energy of someone half her age! I was always so amazed by her vitality and drive! Her unceasing support saved Balboa High. She cared so much about people, and went out of her way to make you feel welcome and appreciated. I had some lovely talks with her, and her attitude and enthusiasm were contagious. She sent these beautiful letters with fantastic photos of her (Betty Boop!) and her beloved boxing legend father, Lew. Her family meant so much to her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Emily was always so full of hope and encouragement. She always said with such pure joy, "Keep punching!" Emily was a one of a kind lady, and the world will be a little dimmer without her shining light. May her memory be eternal!

Jeryl

November 13, 2023

Dearest "Cuz" - Though we never met in person, I could feel your glittering Spirit a thousand miles away. You seemed to leave a joyous life-force in your wake wherever you went. Thank you for sharing not only your stories about our ancestors, including your great grandmother Natalia's tiny chair which so captivated you, but also thank you for yoir generosity in sharing your DNA. With your help, we know much more about our family, and their journey from Chile to the raucous shores of San Francisco Bay during the California Gold Rush. Love and joy always, Jeryl

John Calloway - Class of '76

November 13, 2023

Emily. Even though many of the Balboa alumni did not spend a lot of significant time with you, we all felt that we were close to you through your dedication and positive energy. You will be forever remembered as the face of Balboa. Condolences to Emily's family and may her memories be a big blessing for you all.

Lope Yap, Jr.

November 12, 2023

Thank you for your passion, inspiration, Balboa school spirit and friendship. This Eagle admires your positive and unlimited energy and honors your incredible achievements. Sending Big Hugs Your Way .....

Ruth Radetsky

November 12, 2023

It's hard to imagine a Balboa Move Up without Emily Powell. Sincere condolences to her family. She will be missed.

Isabel (Is-) Hogan

November 12, 2023

Emily was one of a kind and a spirted Bal alum. All of us from other high school alumni also adored her and will miss her and her wonderful stories. Lincoln High Alumni send condolences to the family. RIP dear Emily.

Laura Hurley

November 11, 2023

Emily was always present at Balboa High School for any event. I was a counselor at the school, graduated the class of 1992 and my students adored, looked up to her. When she passed several students of mine posted she had passed on and would be missed, that she had been a big influence in their lives the four years they were at Balboa.

Donna Skotnicki

November 11, 2023

My sincere condolences to the family. She and I had lots of conversations over the years in which she shared a lot her wisdom with me. I'm grateful to have known her

Joe Rodriguez

November 11, 2023

I worked alongside Emily for 41 years for Balboa Alumni Association activities.
She hooked me in, as she enjoyed saying, in 1982 and I´ve never been the same.
She worked tirelessly on the Balboa Hall of Fame with me in tow, the Alumni-Varsity basketball game, and we worked on SF Prep Hall of Fame nominations and a long list of Alumni matters. She named me Balboa´s "unofficial"
Sports historian because of my Balboa and City high school sports knowledge.
We went through a lot of anxious times together for Balboa activities and all were worth it. The memories are lasting.
Most of all, SHE saved Balboa from being closed in 1991.
Words cannot describe her dedication to her School. I´ll miss her phone calls.
They´ll never be another Emily or EM as she referred to herself.
Joe Rodriguez
Class F´61

Thora Magnusson

November 11, 2023

Thora Magnusson

November 11, 2023

Thora Magnusson

November 11, 2023

Thora Magnusson

November 11, 2023

A dear friend to all and one of the most beloved people.

Emily very graciously called herself "your other mother" when she would write or email me. I think she did because she knew just how much I adored her throughout my life and she knew how much her doing so meant to me. I always sat enraptured at the dinner table or in the living room when she was speaking soothe at family gatherings.

Emily and our dad loved Shakespeare and performed classic plays together in high school. Many years later, on occasion, she would call me up to perform a reading with her (after I grew up and had grown children of my own). These precious few moments with her I will always have and get to visit again and again.

She was my father's first wife and the mother of my sister and brother and grandmother to their children and grandchildren. And a dear friend to her communities.

There are too many amazing and wonderful stories about this one woman's life. One might believe she was many women and in a way, she was, all rolled into one incredible human being.

Em was the President Emeritus of the Alumni Association of her high school alma mater (Latin for "nurturing mother"). She served, protected, guided, and helped all the alumni and the subsequent generations of alumni throughout her life and had a speech prepared to deliver before she peacefully passed away at home.

The very beautiful, ever-youthful, and wise, the ever-so-talented, vital, smart, loving, and exceptional spirit who made our lives and world better for having lived.

She gave in so many ways to her family, to our whole family, her friends, and fellow San Franciscans for 94 years of life.

Thinking of her makes me feel better about the world and all the many loving family memories I had not recalled for a long time.

There are wonderful people in the world and many great examples from them all around us.

John Trasvina, Lowell Alumni Association

November 11, 2023

Emily is also survived and sincerely appreciated by literally tens of thousands of graduates of her beloved Balboa and other San Francisco high schools whose educations & futures she enhanced by her tireless advocacy and extraordinary dedication.

Robin Irene Ortiz

November 11, 2023

My sincere condolences to the family. She will be missed. Farewell Fellow Buc!