Janet Ruth Palmer
Janet Ruth Palmer, of Schnecksville, PA, died March 23, 2024, during a brief stay at the Mosser Nursing Home in Trexlertown, PA. She was born in Mount Pleasant, PA, on December 30, 1934, the daughter of the late Jonathon Rogers Heess and Sara (Marshall) Heess. She was 89.
After living briefly in Athens, OH, and Williamsport, MD, when she was young, Janet returned to her family’s roots in the Kennett Square, PA, area in 1942. She graduated from Unionville High School and from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1956. She married June 29, 1957, at London Grove Friends Meeting to Allan Pierson Palmer of Landenberg, PA. Janet taught 2nd grade at Avon-Grove School and later served as a substitute/assistant teacher for the London Grove Friends Meeting Kindergarten.
Janet had lifelong interests in crafts, genealogy, gardening, and entertaining family. She was a member of the Hockessin (DE) Friends Meeting where she founded the Meeting’s daily preschool and oversaw the children’s first day school. She was also involved with the local Young Avon-Grove (“YAG”) club, the Evergreen Garden Club, and the Unionville Farm Show flower division.
Janet’s civic involvement typically revolved around her children. After the family moved to Clearbrook, VA, in 1972, she served as president of the James Wood H. S. Band Boosters. After relocating to Schnecksville in 1977, she was president of the Lehigh County Chapter of the Feingold Association and a volunteer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Janet is survived by her husband of 66 years, Allan Pierson Palmer; her son Jeffrey A. Palmer (Sarah) of Elkton, MD; daughter Laurie E. Bonner (Steven) of Columbia, MD; son Eric L. Palmer (Rebecca) of Oxford, PA; and grandson Allan N. Palmer of Elkton. Also surviving is her brother Richard M. Heess (Elaine) of Lincoln University, PA, one niece, three nephews, and seven grandnieces and -nephews.
A memorial service and private interment at Hockessin Friends Meeting are planned.
