Mary Elizabeth Palmer

Palmer, Mary Elizabeth Wife, mother, grandmother, known to her loved ones as Mary Lib or Bibby, died peacefully January 10, 2008, at the age of 87. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she graduated from The College of Charleston with a degree in Latin. During WWII, she ran the Weather Bureau at Page Field in Ft. Myers. After the war, she relocated to St. Petersburg, where she worked in adoptions with the Department of Juvenile Welfare. She married Henry C. Palmer in 1951, and they made their home first on Boca Ciega Isle, St. Pete Beach, moving to Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Petersburg in 1958. With her husband Hank, Bibby raised five children, was an avid golfer at Sunset Golf Course, Lakewood Country Club and the Vinoy, and was a founding member of St. Raphael's parish. She gave her time and energy to many local organizations including St. Anthony's Ladies Auxilliary, St. Raphael's Women's Guild, and as a Cub Scout den mother; she once volunteered at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic teaching table etiquette to troubled youth. A fun-loving and colorful homemaker, Mary Elizabeth enjoyed entertaining, especially her close-knit Bridge Club, and excelled in low country cuisine of her native Charleston. She was a devoted friend to many. Mary Elizabeth will be missed by her husband Hank, and her five children, Cary Palmer of Treasure Island, Betty Anne Beavers Plantation, Bill Palmer Old Town, Charlie Palmer Temple Terrace, and Shelley Palmer Manes St. Petersburg; five grandchildren, Justin and Alexanne Beavers, Will and Austin Palmer, and Cody Brady; sons-in-law Tim Beavers and David Manes, daughter-in-law Patti Palmer, and her loving extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 13 from 4-7 p.m., Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home-2201 Dr. MLK St. N. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Raphael's Catholic Church Monday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street N, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to Bon Secours Maria Manor Nursing Home in St. Petersburg.