Marie L. Palermo

Marie was a graduate of Bishop O’Hern High School and of Buffalo State College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Development. She enjoyed spending time with family, reading, traveling, hiking, camping, attending live theater, knitting, and playing games with friends and family. She expressed her love of music through playing the piano, joining the handbell choir at her church, and recently beginning ukulele lessons.

Marie started her career as a teacher in the Buffalo City Schools. After raising her three children, she restarted her career by teaching parenting skills to developmentally delayed mothers. She later went to work for the Language Development Program in Tonawanda where she worked with speech delayed preschoolers and eventually for other social service agencies in the City of Buffalo. Later in life Marie returned to the Buffalo City Schools and completed her career as an elementary school teacher and a member of the Buffalo Teachers Federation. She was passionate about volunteering; she gave her time to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, St. John Lutheran Church in Williamsville, and the Amherst Center for Senior Services.

Daughter of the late F. Lester Leopold and Marie Leopold (née Sacco), Marie is survived by her children, Jim Palermo, Julie Yaeger (Kurt), and John Palermo (Sue); grandchildren, Alyssa Vaughn (Ethan), Craig Yaeger, Samantha Palermo, Lauren Palermo, Krista Palermo, Zeke Palermo, Lizzy Palermo, and Samuel Palermo; loving sister Judy Chiarmonte (Joseph) and brother Lester Leopold (Betty); many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Saturday, June 18th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at St. John Lutheran Church, 6540 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. A memorial service celebrating Marie’s life will be held after the visitation hours at 1:00 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s honor to the UB Medical Research Program, at buffalo.edu/campaign, or St. John Lutheran Church in Williamsville at sjlcamherst.com/giving.

Condolences may be made online at www.woodstockfuneralhome.com.