MaryBess Palmer

MaryBess “Jeri” Palmer, 75, died Jan. 16, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center of cancer. A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion, Jack Henry, Post 1 in Anchorage from 1 to 3 p.m., Jan 31.

She was born July 17, 1934, in Arcanum, Ohio, to Troy James “TJ” and Ruby Jarrett. She graduated from Arcanum High School in 1952, salutatorian of her class. Jeri won academic excellence awards from the Miami University District in the final District-State Scholarship Test as well as The Buckeye Girl’s State.

Directly after graduation she went to visit her brother in California. That visit turned into a six-month stay awakening a desire to explore the world around her. In 1957, she and five girlfriends moved to Denver, Colo., where she met her best friend and partner for life, Richard “Dick” Palmer. She then set out on another adventure following Dick to Alaska and marrying on May 29, 1959. She started her bookkeeping career in Anchorage working for Wally Hickel and then moved on to work at Elmendorf AFB, KENI TV/radio and Stewart’s Photo and retiring in 1996 after 15 years with Blaine’s Paint Stores. She was involved a number of years with the Lady’s Shrine and was a past officer for the Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion, Jack Henry, Post 1.

Jeri and Dick’s life together was filled with great laughter, great adventure and a great love. She was an intelligent, classy lady; one who was full of wisdom, with a quick wit and generous heart. Her absence will be felt deeply by her family and all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, T.J. and Ruby, and brothers Richard and Bill Jarrett.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dick Palmer, daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Tim Tillman; son, Christopher Palmer; brother and sister-in-law Paul and Carol Palmer; grandchildren, Joshua Knodel and his wife Melissa, Sarah Tillman, Troy Palmer, Samantha Tillman and Devin Palmer; great-grandchildren, Hayden Knodel and Blaire Tillman, as well as many nieces and nephews in Wasilla and Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.