Katharine Farley Palmer died peacefully on February 8, 2005, at the Mary Elizabeth Nursing Center in Mystic at the age of 91. She was a resident of Stonington for more than 65 years.
Mrs. Palmer, known to her friends and family as Kappy, was born in New York City on December 13, 1913. Her parents were Eloise Gately Beers and Frank Cheney Farley, an architect. Mrs. Palmer graduated from the Chapin School and studied at the Art Students League in NYC. She married Henry Robinson Palmer, Jr. on September 23, 1939, in Stonington. Mr. Palmer preceded her in death in 1993. She is survived by her four children: Benjamin W. and his wife Phoebe of Ann Arbor, MI, Leigh F. and his wife Phyllis of Tivoli NY, Rieta P. Park and her husband Howard and Henry R. (Rob) , all of Stonington. She also leaves nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is survived by two sisters, Alice F. Williams and her three children of Washington DC and Elizabeth F. Berdell and her son of Chicago IL. Her sister-in-law, Ruth Ann (Billie) Palmer and her daughter, Cynthia R. Palmer, of Mason's Island also survive her.
Kappy volunteered for many years at the Westerly, RI, Hospital and was an active member of the Stonington Historical Society for which she helped organize programs on local history for elementary school students. She was also a member of the Stonington Garden Club and the Wadawanuck Club.
There will be a service celebrating Kappy's life at the United Church of Stonington at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 12. In lieu of flowers, donations are most welcome at the Stonington Free Library Association in Kappy's name. The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic is assisting the family. For obituary information or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.dinotofuneral.com