Elaine E. Palmer, devoted church member, volunteer
Elaine E. Palmer of Lewes passed away peacefully at home Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Elaine (Bunny) was born Dec. 15, 1928, daughter of Chester Reid and Gertrude Elaine Underhill at their home in Leonardo, N.J. 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 lifelong friends from New Jersey and attended class reunions into her 90s. A few years after graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. While stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, Bunny met Staff Sergeant Robert Lee Palmer of Lewes. 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 48 years.
At 78, Bunny retired from Beebe Hospital after 38 years of service. 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 2540 in 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 60-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 16 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) and Clifford Howarth; mother-in-law, Blanche Palmer; and other extended family members.
Bunny is survived by her children, Jeff Palmer (Laurie) of Ponte Vedra, Fla., Greg Palmer (Terri) of Haddon Heights, N.J., Russ Palmer (Nicole) of Lewes, and Ellen Ritchie (Steve) of Middletown; her 13 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; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 28, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 9:30 a.m. A reception will be held in the church hall immediately following the services. Interment will be private at Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Brandywine Valley SPCA, 22918 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947, or Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Bunny’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
