Eileen P. Mead

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eileen “Lee” Palmer Mead of Englewood, FL on July 13, 2026, at the age of 80. Eileen was born in Summit, NJ and grew up in Madison, New Jersey, having graduated from Hanover Park High School and Centenary College for Women in Hackettstown, NJ. She worked in various fields including administrative professional, a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines, paralegal, and in real estate. When not working outside the home, Lee enjoyed golf, reading, travel, sewing and other crafts, playing cards and games, and volunteering at the library, local hospital, and her children’s schools. After raising their family in NJ, they relocated to the Charlotte, NC area before retiring to Englewood, FL. They thoroughly enjoyed the friends and community of Boca Royale ~ a paradise of golf, swimming and close to the beach. Her final years were spent at Heritage Oaks of Englewood.

Family memories include the daily happy hour which not only included snacks for those there, but a special bowl with treats for the different ‘fur” family members that also knew exactly what time it was. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Gary internationally, including a special trip to England with Mandy, as well as amazing locations stateside. A cruise with Misty and family led to many more cruises she took with Gary and friends including iconic locations of Hawaii and Alaska, as well as tropical locations in the Caribbean. Leaving no stone unturned, there were many visits to local wineries with Mandy and breweries with Misty, and always a hike in the woods or mountains with her grandchildren. An avid reader, she enjoyed mysteries and historical thrillers, and always the daily crossword puzzles from the newspaper. Her grandchildren remember fondly “Camp Grandma & Grandpa”, crafts, cooking, and numerous trips to the pool and beach.

She is survived by daughters Melissa (Misty) Mead Hinson (R. Michael) of High Springs, FL; Amanda (Mandy) Mead Fenno (Phil) of Englewood; sister Linda Palmer Friedman of Naples, FL; grandchildren Zachary P. Hinson of Gainesville, FL; and Heidi E. Hinson of Pensacola, FL; and 3 nieces, Brielle Friedman, Danielle Palmer-Friedman, and Stephanie Louise Cullum. And Gibbs, her cat. She was preceded in death by her husband Gary, parents Michael P. Palmer and Mary Ann Palmer. A private burial at Sarasota National Cemetery for immediate family to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations in memory of Eileen Mead at Suncoast Humane Society or Tidewell Foundation (hospice) using the links below:

https://humane.org/make-a-donation/ Please enter “In memory of Eileen Mead” in the notes

www.tidewellfoundation.org/donate Please enter “In memory of Eileen Mead” in the notes