PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Muriel M. Palmer, 88, beloved wife of Rev. Otto L. Palmer passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, May 3, 2018, at the Mars Hill Aroostook Health Center. She was born on February 24, 1930, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Loomis R. and Mabel (Trafton) Stevens.
Muriel was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1947, and was married to Otto L. Palmer on August 28, 1948. Together they dedicated their lives to full-time Christian service and have served Maine and New Hampshire Churches associated with the American Baptist denomination. Muriel held various offices for the American Baptist Women’s Association, as well as serving as president of the Maine Baptist Minister’s Fellowship. Music was an important part of her life, since growing up in the Stevens family, with her three sisters and older brother, Bob, all marching in the Fort Fairfield Band. She has been pianist and organist for many of the Churches her husband pastored. She was involved with Youth Ministries and Choirs and for years taught piano, clarinet, and saxophone lessons.
In the business world, Muriel was a bookkeeper, medical records supervisor at the Laconia, NH, Clinic, receptionist at a dental office in Concord, NH, and patient scheduling co-ordininator at TAMC in PQI, ME. At one time, she and her daughter, Joy, operated a day-care in Joy’s home and they also started a business in Concord, NH, “The Joy of Crafts.”
Over the years, her hobbies have included gardening, sewing, cooking, and entertaining. She loved to prepare a delicious meal, and serve it on her beautifully set table, complete with linen tablecloth, fine china, crystal, and silver. She was famous for her apple, lemon meringue, and custard pies, and if she knew you were coming, they were lovingly prepared ahead for your visit.
She dearly loved her family and friends and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Muriel was predeceased by her infant brother, Earl Emery Stevens, Nov. 14, 1934; her daughter, Joy E. Palmer Davis, June 2, 2009; and one sister, Helen S. Moirs, September 17, 2011, and her husband, Leo.
She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 70 years, Rev. Otto L. Palmer of Presque Isle; one son, Rev. Larry O. Palmer and his wife, Rebecca, of Presque Isle; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Thelma Stevens of Ocala, Fla.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Mervyn Libby of Ocala, Fla., and Marilyn and Robert Black of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Garrel Craig and his wife, Judy, of Brewer, ME; Denise Davis Tyree and her husband, Jason, of Forest, VA; and Derek Davis and his wife, Lauren, of Forest, VA; eight great-grandchildren, Rachel and Taylor Craig of Brewer, ME; Dean and Lexi Tyree of Forest, VA; Farrah, Ava, Luke and Azi Davis of Forest, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle, on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Larry O. Palmer officiating.
Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Muriel Palmer to Calvary Baptist Church, C/O Rev. Larry Palmer, PO Box 2, PQI, ME 04769, The House of Comfort, PO Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or to any Church that they pastored during their years of ministry together. Online condolences may be shared at www.duncan-graves.com
