Maisie ‘May’ Agnes Lamora Palmer (Nee Summerville)

Maisie ‘May’ Palmer, née Summerville, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2023, at the age of 92 surrounded by her children in Calgary, Alberta.

May is lovingly remembered by her eight children; Kathy (Eric) Leavitt, Kevin (Cyndi) Palmer, Karen (Ross) Salmon, Blaine (Linda) Palmer, Leslie Palmer, Colleen (Paul) Tidwell, Donna Palmer (Dean Turner), David (Amy) Palmer; her 32 grandchildren; 87 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Madeline Nelson (Magrath, Alberta) and Jerome Summerville (Portadown, Northern Ireland); and many other beloved family members and friends.

May was predeceased by her husband, Garth Palmer; infant son Darren Palmer; infant great-grandson Jack Guess; and her parents James and Katherine Summerville, with whom she is now joyfully reunited.

Maisie ‘May’ Agnes Lamora Summerville was born April 28, 1931, to Katherine Houston and James Summerville in Portadown, Armagh, Northern Ireland, the eldest of three siblings.

At the age of 21, May courageously boarded the SS America transatlantic liner to Canada, in search of her dreams. She worked as a nanny in Montreal, Canada, enjoying a personal chauffeur and an haute couture wardrobe as she cared for her two wards. It was here that she met her future husband, Garth Palmer.

She then moved to southern Alberta. Garth and May were married for time and all eternity in the Cardston, Alberta temple on April 20, 1955.

They later moved to Edmonton, Alberta where Garth completed his education. In 1964 they built their home in Calgary, Alberta where they raised their growing family.

May exemplified selfless motherhood throughout her life. She worked hard and cared devotedly for her children. Her children often came home from school to the smell of her fresh homemade bread. “Maisie buns” and shortbread tarts are legendary in her family.

May faithfully served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved providing compassionate service and often served quietly in the kitchen or behind the scenes at church functions or bringing meals to neighbors.

She loved animals and was an “animal whisperer” by many accounts. Even the backyard squirrels enjoyed her offerings of peanut snacks. When May visited, the grandkids would come running, but the family pets usually beat them to her, excited to see “grandma”. Rumor has it that May loved pets just slightly more than her children, but that has yet to be proven.

May’s dear friendships brought her great happiness and much laughter. She had a witty sense of humor and even as her health deteriorated, often responded with clever quips that caught people off guard.

She loved music and had a beautiful voice. As health challenges made communication difficult, she connected through music. Her family created special playlists and found joy and peace hearing her sing, hum or tap along.

May was a peacemaker and taught her children to love and respect each other. If teased about which child was her favorite she would insist “I love all my children”, but each secretly knew they were her favorite.

She will be remembered for her commitment to her faith, her sensitivity, and the love and unrelenting devotion she had for her children and family. This “wee” Irish lass crossed an ocean, followed her dreams, and found them in friends, faith, and family.

The family thanks the staff at St. Marguerite Manor for the tender care provided during her years there. Their compassionate and selfless service brought comfort and peace to May and her family.

Ever loved.

——————————————————

Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bow Valley Chapel, located at 2526 – 24th Avenue N.W., Calgary Alberta on Friday November 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 – 10:45 am.

View May Palmer’s Service Bulletin

A Graveside Service and interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta where May will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.