Janet Elaine Palmer

She was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 10, 1934 to Gilbert and Irene Henry. She attended Denby High School, and graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in elementary education.

She was married to Francis William “Bill” Palmer on June 16, 1956. They spent the first two years of their married life with Bill in seminary in Pittsburgh while Janet taught in the public school system. As a young bride, she learned to stretch a penny by frequently preparing tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Following graduation from seminary, they accepted a call to the United Presbyterian Church of Auburn Heights. Upon being given a tour of the manse, the previous pastor related that he had been at the church for 16 years, which seemed like a lifetime to the then 24 year-old Janet. Little did she know that they would spend 32 years pastoring that congregation.

Janet spent most of her teaching career with the Avondale School District. She taught 2 years at Stone Elementary, followed by over 20 years at R. Grant Graham Elementary. She loved teaching first grade, and on several occasions took the same group of children through both first and second grades. One of the highlights of her day was to give each child a heartfelt hug as she sent them home.

After Bill’s retirement from the ministry, they became very involved in the church life of Faith Church in Rochester, which commissioned them to be a part of the team which started New Hope Church in Oxford. Later they were active members of First Congregational Church in Rochester. For the last several years she attended Lincoln Community United Methodist Church. While the type of involvement varied with the church, its programs and needs, it was important to Janet to maintain an active spiritual life and to grow with those who were in that part of the body of Christ.

As hobbies, Janet enjoyed travelling, growing flowers, and doing crafts. Early in their marriage Bill introduced her to camping, and despite a less-than-spectacular first trip, she grew to appreciate being close to nature and the wonderful family times afforded by the activity. As their girls grew, there were many summer vacations spent travelling to various corners of the country. Janet introduced Bill to international travel upon her return from a 1970 trip to England to observe “open classrooms.” Together they planned and enjoyed several international experiences. Janet was also an avid gardener. While Bill grew vegetables, she took responsibility for the flower gardens and took delight in planning various annual and perennial beds around their Rochester home. Many a neighbor benefitted from their view of the Palmer yard. Indoors, Janet enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting. In recent years, she made several prayer shawls as part of the ministry of different churches.

Janet’s life was also characterized by love demonstrated to those around her. She was a devoted mother to her two daughters. After Bill’s passing in 2010, she spent winters near Orlando, Florida, so that she could be close to her sister and involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews and their families. As a school teacher she invested in the lives of her students, and as a pastor’s wife she connected with those in the congregation. Her impact will be remembered and cherished by many.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband Bill. She is survived by her daughters Sharel Palmer and Karen (Micah) Rogers, her sister Nancy (Donald) Jablonski, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday July 23rd at Pixley Funeral Home from 3pm until 8pm, located at 322 W. University Drive in downtown Rochester. A Funeral Service will be viewable online on Friday July 24th at 11am. See www.dignitymemorial.com for details.