Janet F. Palmer

The daughter of Barbara Edwards and Adolph J. Fischer, Jr., she was born November 7, 1940 in New York City. She attended the Lycée Français de New York and Barnard College, before working at the French Consulate.

Her marriage to James O’Reilly ended in divorce. She and Charles Raymond Palmer married in 1967 and she moved to Saratoga Springs, NY. She was a leader in the PTA, Girl Scouts, public library and other organizations.

She began her career in higher education administration at Skidmore College, rising from part-time department secretary to Registrar and Director of Institutional Research. A dedicated student, she earned her B.A. from Skidmore College (1972), M.A. from Goddard College (1974) and at Syracuse University the M.B.A. (1983) and Ph.D. in history (1996).

She served the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy from 1989-1999 as Director of Institutional Research and Registrar. While residing in Great Neck, NY, she joined the Manhasset Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and was active in Quaker and inter-faith organizations. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 2003.

A life-long avid reader, Janet read widely and especially enjoyed mystery novels. She played the piano and liked classical and jazz music, ballet and visiting art museums and historic sites. She was accomplished in a variety of needlework and fiber arts.Janet’s keen intellect, creativity, sense of humor and the encouragement and support she gave family, students and friends to pursue their dreams will be missed.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughter Victoria O’Reilly, step-children Raymond Palmer (Deanne) and Kathryn Hughes (Jeff), four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington DC 20007 from 10:00am to 11:00am. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00am.

Interment will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery, 1629 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207 on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Janet may be made to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).