Sheila Ann Palmer

Ludlow, MA - On this day, January 2, 2022, Sheila Ann (Desmond) Palmer, of Ludlow, began a spiritual pilgrimage, after completing an amazing 89-year journey on this earth. Sheila started her life’s journey in Greenwich, CT on August 28, 1932. Her early childhood years on Steamboat Road in Greenwich had her walking up Greenwich Avenue with some of her 13 siblings to school or to one of her favorite places to be, the Greenwich Library. She embraced the joys of reading and carried this passion for her entire life, passing this on to her 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Her home was filled with floor to ceiling bookcases, as she was known to never refuse a book. Her life journey led to Springfield, MA when she was a teenager, and that is where she met and married her husband, Henry Branch Palmer who predeceased her. As a US Air Force family, they lived in Paris, France; Columbus, OH; Chicopee, MA; Honolulu, HI and Ludlow, MA. When she was married the Desmond family moved from Springfield to Savoy, MA, where Sheila continued to enjoy the area her entire life. She resided in Ludlow for 50 years, and loved the community. Sheila spent time as a homemaker when her children were young and was involved in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, her children’s schools, and local civil right activities. Later on, she was one of the first head start teachers in Springfield, MA and was heavily sought after by parents. After teaching at head start for over a decade, she worked for My Sister’s House, a recovery facility in Springfield, MA. She attended Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield College and Lesley College. Known for her love of red geraniums and being an avid walker. Sheila loved family, and easily counted her (13) siblings as her best friends. This was passed down to her 36 nieces and nephews who are all well acquainted and comfortable with each other. Sheila was close to all her children, and most especially her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She instilled in all of them the importance of education, staying in the day, paying attention to what’s in front of them and around them, loving all aspects of the outdoors, learning new things, recognizing a beautiful garden, taking in the brilliance of a starry night, the magnificent of a forest, peacefulness of any ocean and most importantly listening/laughing with family. We are thankful for her regular singing of “Hello, hello, hello how are you? I’m fine, I’m fine and I hope that you are to” Mahalo mom, grandma, nana, Aunt Sheila. Predeceased by her husband, Henry of 40 years; her special friend, Roy Mullins of 16 years; her parents, Stanley and Ethel (Ward) Desmond and her siblings, Myrtle Blair, Freida Ledbetter, Tom Desmond, Ethel (Bootsie) Buntin, Jackie Scott, Joan Carson, Florence Howes, Carl Desmond, Stanley Desmond, Patricia King, Maryanne Desmond and Billy Desmond. She leaves her younger sister, Dianne Desmond (Bobbie) Dollison; her children, Erskine, Shelley, Christina and Gretchen Palmer; her grandchildren, Jason (Veronica)Willis, Brandon Palmer, Kerensa (Hunter) Palmer, Savoy Bailey and Henry Palmer; two great grandchildren, Jason and Jada Willis and 36 nieces and nephews and many grandnieces/nephews, and of course so many friends. A graveside service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Island Pond Cemetery, Center Street, Ludlow, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

Sheila Ann Palmer

August 28, 1932 - January 2, 2022