Patricia Ann Palma

Our beloved Patricia Ann Palma, born January 12, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, peacefully entered eternal rest on November 23, 2025, surrounded by the love of generations of her family. Patricia was known for her great sense of humor, quick wit, and playfulness. You knew Pat liked you if she “razzed” you a little bit. Though life brought her the profound challenge of losing her father at nine years old and her mother at twelve years old, Pat transformed adversity into strength, developing unwavering resilience and determination.

Her love story with Richard Dean Palma began when they were teenagers, and they pledged their hearts to one another on February 4, 1956. Richard (Dick) Palma passed on November 24, 1996 in their fortieth year of marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life in Northview, where they raised their four children. For decades the couple owned and operated a business providing music and billiards to communities all throughout West Michigan, ranging from downtown Grand Rapids to Idlewild. The cottage Patricia and Dick lovingly built together on Lilley Lake in Bitely became the setting for decades of memories with family and friends.

Throughout the chapters of her life, Pat was involved in her children’s lives, serving on school committees, room mother, volunteering with the Friends of the Library. She enjoyed sewing, reading, knitting, crocheting, listening to oldies country, spending time with family, and enjoying the scenery of the lake. She was often found checking out a book from the public library (her personal library was also quite extensive), supporting and enjoying her community at St. James Lutheran Church where she was a member for decades, or spending time with her Bichon Frisé, Sugar.

Patricia understood the importance of family. She shared a close lifelong friendship with her brother Richard Gale and his wife Barbara. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, and Gigi. All who loved Pat knew they could turn to her for love, honesty, guidance, and support. She saw the person, not the label, giving people the profound sense of being truly seen. She could find a good conversation in any room with any person. She opened her home to her children’s friends as a safe place for them to hang out or lend an ear to listen if they needed one. As such, Pat leaves behind many who will remember her banter, authenticity, acceptance, confidante, and infectious humor.

Patricia’s legacy of love lives on in her children—Scott (Shirley) Palma, Renee (Tim) Johnston, Darielle ‘Darcy’ (Steve) Lukaart, and Daryl Palma. She lives on in the hearts of her grandchildren—Richard, Sharon, Andrew, Brooke, Harleigh, and Spencer—and in the bright eyes of her great-grandchildren—Keagan, Emery, Jaxon, Kai, and Arixie.

Pat now reunites with those who went before her: her parents, Harry and Bessie (Hall) Gale; her siblings, Betty, Harry, Don, Charles, Evelyn, and Richard; and most tenderly, with her husband of forty years, Dick Palma.

Patricia will be remembered on Saturday December 6, 2025, at St. James Lutheran Church, 2040 Oakwood Ave NE; Grand Rapids, MI 49505. The family will greet visitors from 10:00 – 11:00am, with the Memorial Service beginning at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, St. James Lutheran Church or to Pathfinder Library in Baldwin MI.