Donna B. Anderson Palmer, of Chelsea, MI, age 90, passed away on December 15, 2024.
She was born on May 4, 1934 in Manistee, MI, the daughter of John L. and Ada (Holmes) Anderson. She graduated from Manistee High School in 1951. She attended the University of Michigan's first four-year nursing program, graduating with her BSN in 1956.
Donna met George L. Palmer in 1956, and they married on her birthday, May 4, 1957 in Manistee, MI. She worked alongside her husband and they owned and operated Palmer Motor Sales, Michigan's oldest Ford dealership, until their retirement in 1997. They traveled the world, but their favorite place was Frederiksted, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They spent 40 winters there. In 2014, Donna moved to the Chelsea Retirement Community, where she resided until her passing.
Faith, family, and music were core parts of Donna’s life. She was an active member of the Chelsea First United Methodist Church for many years, where she was very active in the music program. She sang in the Chancel choir, and she accompanied the choirs, played the organ, and directed handbell and singing choirs. She also played piano in the pit of several musical productions at Chelsea High School and directed a select men’s quartet. She loved playing the organ and the piano. Music lit up her life. She recently played her favorite hymn, "Children of the Heavenly Father."
She is survived by two daughters, Suzie Palmer Weber of Chelsea, MI, and Carol Palmer of Denver, CO; two grandsons, John Weber and Matt Weber; and foreign exchange-daughter, Tiinna and family in Helsinki, Finland ; a sister-in-law, Mary Palmer Becker, and many nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by husband, George; son-in-law, Biff Weber; her parents, three siblings, an infant son, and several nieces and nephews.
A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea.
Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 2-8 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the George L. Palmer Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made to Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, 333 W. Fort St., Suite 2010, Detroit, MI 48226. Put in memo line: Palmer Scholarship.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
