Barbara N. Palmer

She was born on November 7, 1932 at “Fountain Villa” Scalby, Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. A 50 year resident of Virginia, she was a naturalized citizen of the United States for 23 years.

Her working career began as a hotel clerk in Scarborough’s finest hotels, and she retired from her career as an accounts receivable and payable clerk. For many years she lived with her husband, Don Palmer, and their various cat children, in Reston and Herndon, Virginia. Don retired from government work, and they purchased a home near friends in Colonial Beach, Virginia. Don did woodworking while Barbara worked as a bookkeeper for the Dockside Restaurant. After Don passed away in 1998, she continued living in her new home where she had many friends in the community. She was a great friend to Kitty Norris, the library manager, and her many volunteers. Out of this friendship, a monthly “Tea Party Book Club” meeting was formed. Barbara was also active on the Colonial Beach Planning Commission.

After many years, Barbara’s health deteriorated and she moved to Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Fredericksburg. There she was well cared for and loved by all as she lived out the remainder of her life with her cat, Ollie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Cutter Palmer; her parents, Thomas Eden and Ivy Higgins Newham; her sisters, Kathleen Newham, Joan Hogg, and Muriel Murray; and her brother, Eric Thomas Newham.

She is survived by her nieces, Lesley Barrett, Wendy Miles, Lynne Egan, and Angela Wilson; and her grand-nieces and grand-nephews.