Nancy Ruth Palmer

Nancy Ruth Palmer passed away peacefully on February 20, 2018 at her home in Costa Mesa, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born November 9, 1953 to Ray and Marge Palmer. Nancy is survived by her son, Scott Harris; her granddaughter, Avery Harris; her daughter, Allyson Lutz; her fiancée, Jim Kendall; her parents, Ray and Marge; her sisters, Barbara, Marilyn, and Linda; her brothers, Jim, Steve, Rick, and Mike; and 16 nieces and nephews. Nancy was predeceased by her sister, Joanne, and her husband, Paul Allen Harris. She had many titles over the course of her life -- Granny, Mom, wife, daughter, sister, fiancée, friend, and partner -- and is remembered dearly by everyone who knew her.

Nancy was born, lived, and worked in Orange County, but travelled throughout her life. She graduated as valedictorian from Newport Harbor High School in 1971. She went on to receive degrees from the University of California at Irvine as well as Cal Poly Pomona. After college, she toured South America, met Paul, gave birth to Scott and Allyson, and started her own Landscape Architecture business. She spent the next twenty years raising her family in Costa Mesa and traveling with them extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. During this time she also worked for the City of Laguna Niguel and was closely involved in the design of many public spaces around Southern California, including the remodel of John Wayne Airport and the development of the Niguel Botanical Preserve.

After Paul’s death in 2011, Nancy met her fiancée and partner, Jim Kendall. Together, they spent the last few years of her life traveling the world, visiting three continents and eleven countries. The family wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to him for his love and selfless commitment to be by her side throughout her illness.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 9 at Harbor Lawn - Mt. Olive Memorial Park, 1625 Gisler Ave, Costa Mesa. The family requests that attendees wear brighter clothing, and particularly items acquired while traveling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Círculo de Amigas Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.