Elaine E. Palmer "Bunny"'s Obituary
Elaine E. Palmer of Lewes, Delaware passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Elaine (Bunny) was born on December 15, 1928, daughter of Chester Reid and Gertrude Elaine Underhill at their home in Leonardo, New Jersey. It was at home that the delivery nurse called her Bunny; the nickname stuck.
Bunny graduated from Collingswood High School in 1947. She had many life-long friends from New Jersey and attended class reunions into her nineties. A few years after graduation, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, in California, Bunny met Staff Sergeant Robert Lee Palmer of Lewes, Delaware. Six weeks later they were married, before the Marine Corps sent Bunny to Hawaii. After they were discharged from the Marines, Bunny and Lee moved to Lee’s hometown, Lewes and started a family. A year later they moved to Collingswood for seven years before permanently returning to Lewes. Bunny and Lee were married for forty-eight years.
Bunny retired from Beebe Hospital after thirty-eight years of service, at the age of seventy-eight. Immediately after retiring she became a volunteer at the hospital for eight additional years.
Bunny and Lee were two of the original founders of the Elks Lodge #2340 of Lewes. They enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and friends including the Howarths, Fishers, McCartys, Elliotts, Burtons, Melotts, Cunninghams, Mitchells, and Ortons.
Bunny was a faithful sixty-year member and volunteer at Bethel United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Elizabeth Circle.
Bunny enjoyed sending cards to family and friends acknowledging their special occasions. She also liked taking and sharing pictures of family and friends at gatherings. Bunny was devoted to her furry companion of sixteen years, Molly.
Bunny was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Reid and Gertrude Elaine Underhill, her husband R. Lee Palmer, brother Bradford Underhill (Betty, Patricia), sister Lois Conlin (Owen), and Lee’s siblings, Agnus Allen (Oscar), Evelyn Miller (Stanley), James Palmer (Audrey), Clifford Howarth, mother-in-law Blanche Palmer as well as other extended family members.
Bunny is survived by her children, Jeff Palmer (Laurie) of Ponte Vedra, Florida, Greg Palmer (Terri) of Haddon Heights New Jersey, Russ Palmer (Nicole) of Lewes, Delaware and Ellen Ritchie (Steve) of Middletown Delaware; Her thirteen grandchildren, Brian Palmer (Rene), Jennifer Palmer, Jason Palmer, David Palmer, Greg Palmer (Lexie), Michele Palmer, Zac Palmer (Kelly), Lauren Price (Sammy), Alison Palmer, Dane Palmer, Kyle Ritchie, Erin Ritchie (Joe), and Chad Ritchie (Marena); Six great grandchildren, Chase Palmer, Brody Palmer, Sydney Jefferson, Gabrielle Price, Cameron Price and Stephen Ritchie; sister-in-law Jean Howarth along with many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday March 28, 2025 at 11 am at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th Street, Lewes, DE where friends may visit beginning at 9:30 AM. A reception will be held in the church hall immediately following the Services. Interment will be private at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes, DE.
The services may also be viewed via Live Stream by visiting - https://youtube.com/live/sM_msBZNbzw?feature=share
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Brandywine Valley SPCA of Georgetown, 22918 Dupont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947 or to the Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. Fourth Street, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please sign Bunny's Tribute Wall at this site.
Florist Note. Please deliver any floral tributes to our Lewes Location by 3 PM on Thursday March 27, 2025.
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