Jean Palmer

A Life Well Lived perhaps best describes Jean Palmer who graced us with her wit, great cooking and baking, and sense of humor for nearly 100 years. Jean was born in 1927 to Wendell and Elizabeth (Pelkey) McCabe in West Rutland, VT. She attended West Rutland schools and later attended Rutland business school. At the age of 20 she met and married William (Bill) Murphy in 1947 and settled on Butterfly Avenue in Rutland. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Frank, Bill was recalled into the Korean War and the couple and young child relocated to an Army base on Cape Cod. Following the end of the war, the young family moved back to Rutland and re-started their family. Timothy (Tim), Kathryn (Kathy) and Elizabeth (Liz) joined the family who lived on Mansfield Place in Rutland for many years.

Jean was employed at various enterprises over the years including waitressing at the Fairmont Restaurant, and holding a variety of administrative positions. Perhaps the job Jean was best known for was in the Selective Service Office during the Vietnam War. Just ask a few of MSJ & Rutland High School seniors between 1966-73 if they ever received any assistance from Mrs. Murphy! Jean’s last position was at the Green Mountain National Forest, which she held until retirement in 1989.

Jean’s resilience and strength of character were put to the test many times over the years. The untimely death of her daughter, Kathy in 1974, followed by the death of her husband in 1977 seemed to make her more determined to normalize life for herself and daughter, Liz. Several years later at a West Rutland High School Reunion she met Bob Murphy (no relationship) and married in 1980. Again Jean’s strength of character was called upon when she lost Bob in 1985. Unexpectedly, she met and married Kenneth (Ken) Palmer in 1989 and they relocated to Bradenton, FL. The marriage did not last and once again, Jean returned to Rutland. Jean relocated to Kansas with her daughter Liz and family followed by her move into assisted living in NH. Jean’s most recent residence was at the Peabody Assisted Living facility in Franklin, NH.

Jean is survived by son Frank (Sharon) of Laconia, NH; Timothy (Debbie), Elizabeth (Tony Salzano) of Tecumseh, KS. Grandchildren Sean & Patrick (Murphy), Sarah (Feltner), Michael (Salzano), Kevin (Murphy) and Thomas (Salzano). She is predeceased by granddaughter, Erin Murphy. Jean also had 9 great grandchildren: Ethan Kelly, Mason & Conor Salzano, Chase (Feltner), Teagan, Isabelle, Maeve & Finn Murphy , Hayden and Beau Salzano. Jean is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Please join the family in commemorating Jean’s life at a Celebration of Life on August 23, 2025 at Southside Restaurant, 170 S. Main St. Rutland, VT from 1:00-4:00.