Elaine Marie (Hadley) Palmer, of Ann Arbor, MI, passed away in May 2024 at the age of 94.
Elaine was born in June 1929 in Arlington, California the daughter of Charles and Elba (Stone) Hadley. She lived in Riverside, California during her early years. Her Scots-Irish and Cherokee families had moved from Ohio and Oklahoma like so many in those days to seek a more prosperous life in the lush landscape of California. Her father maintained orange groves, and her mother ran a dress shop while raising their two daughters together.
Always a precocious learner, Elaine started college at the University of California, Berkeley at the age of sixteen. She never completed her college education, because at the age of eighteen, she married the love of her life, Ted Palmer.
The two had met several years earlier when Ted’s older brother married Elaine’s older sister, and they married after Ted’s service in World War II. Ted and Elaine remained completely devoted to each other for their entire 73-year marriage.
The new couple lived in California briefly before returning to Ted’s hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan. There, Elaine had a fulfilling career as the assistant to the dean of the University of Michigan Business School, Dr. Floyd Bond. She drove to work in her 1966 Ford Mustang and parked it right in front of the school every day.
Elaine had begun bowling in California when her husband helped manage a bowling alley with a long-time buddy, Al Dean. She continued enjoying the sport by participating in a women’s bowling league in Ann Arbor. After she retired from the University in the fall of 1983, she and Ted enjoyed playing several rounds of golf each week, always with one of their beloved cocker spaniels in tow. On one occasion, Elaine shot a hole-in-one, and Ted was so impressed that he created a large sign for their home so that all would learn of her golfing prowess.
When at their beautiful home on the near-westside of Ann Arbor, Elaine and Ted spent many hours gardening, reading, and squirrel-watching in their glass-enclosed sunroom. Through the years, they also maintained an historically accurate General Store in the basement of their home. Ted taught at the local junior high school and would bring his students to come and “shop” while learning about life in the previous century. Ever the consummate hostess, Elaine would supply the popcorn and soda pop and play the player piano for all their guests.
Although they never had children of their own, Ted and Elaine forged close ties with their many nieces and nephews. They followed their trajectories closely including the Springer, Newman, and Wilson families in Michigan, the Gerald Palmer family in Oregon, and the Harry Palmer family in California. They also “adopted” many other family members—the children of their close friends, Al and Jeanne Dean and Parker and Sally Pennington; their “Georgia family,” the Thrifts; Mark Wing and Jan Cashin; and their many neighbors on Wesley Street.
Every summer for much of their married life, the Palmers drove their Ford Econoline camper van to Fripp Island, South Carolina, where they maintained a cottage, affectionately known as “the tree house” due to its unique architecture. Over the years, they entertained many friends and family on the island, taking them to walk the beach, collect seashells, and enjoy the abundant local wildlife. The couple also made several trips during summer breaks to see family in California, and Elaine cherished a special Hawaiian vacation she took with her sister, Martha. As Elaine would say, they were “two peas in a pod” and had a special bond throughout their lives.
In her last few years, Elaine was tended to by a team of private caregivers who dedicated their time, love, and devotion to her every need. They always said that she made their job easy, because she never complained and always greeted them with a bright smile. They would agree that no one else on the planet has ever had such a sunny disposition. Up until the last days of her life, Elaine enjoyed going to Music and Movement classes, concerts, and religious services at her assisted living facility.
Her husband, Edmund L. “Ted” Palmer, parents, sister, and several in-laws predeceased Elaine. She is survived by many friends and family in California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Tennessee. She will be missed by many.
Funeral Services will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N. Main St., Chelsea, on Friday, May 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m. where the family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m. Elaine will be laid to rest with her husband, Ted, and her mother-in-law, Mabel Tanner Palmer at Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, or to the charity of your choice.
