In Loving Memory of Brenda C. Palmer May 21,1947-October 4, 2025
Brenda became my dear friend in fourth grade at John Elliot School, when I first moved to Needham. I soon found out that her parents had purchased their home from my grandmother in the 1943. It was fascinating for me when I visited there, to imagine that my dad and his family had lived there too.
Brenda and I shared so many unique and fun experiences together that I will never forget. We would take the bus from Hurd’s corner to the Needham library, then walk down to Rosemary Lake and swim for hours, and take the bus home again talking and laughing all the way. There were pajama parties, walks in the woods, sunrise on the aqueduct, bus trips to the movies in West Newton and Waltham, ice skating on New Pond near Echo Bridge, roughhousing with some of the kids in our class at John Eliot, sipping tea and toast in the morning at her house before school.
Later, at age 14, she encouraged me to apply for a job at Jacobs Shoe Store where she was working. What a great experience we had together. Some years later, Mrs. Agnes Palmer, our mentor at Jacob’s, became her mother-in-law when Brenda married Eddie Palmer.
As we got older, it was great fun driving to the beach or going to a dance on a Saturday night. Years went by and I moved to Maine, but whenever I visited Needham, I would stop in to see her. We would talk and laugh for hours, as if there was no time or distance between us.
I reached out to Brenda before our 60th reunion, but there was no reply. Incredibly on the reunion Saturday, while we celebrated at Needham Golf club, Brenda had been ill and passed away.
Brenda, I will miss you, but you will live in my heart always.
Sandra (Sandy) Fern (Tholl)
In Loving Memory of Brenda C. Palmer May 21,1947-October 4, 2025
Brenda became my dear friend in fourth grade at John Elliot School, when I first moved to Needham. I soon found out that her parents had purchased their home from my grandmother in the 1943. It was fascinating for me when I visited there, to imagine that my dad and his family had lived there too.
Brenda and I shared so many unique and fun experiences together that I will never forget. We would take the bus from Hurd’s corner to the Needham library, then walk down to Rosemary Lake and swim for hours, and take the bus home again talking and laughing all the way. There were pajama parties, walks in the woods, sunrise on the aqueduct, bus trips to the movies in West Newton and Waltham, ice skating on New Pond near Echo Bridge, roughhousing with some of the kids in our class at John Eliot, sipping tea and toast in the morning at her house before school.
Later, at age 14, she encouraged me to apply for a job at Jacobs Shoe Store where she was working. What a great experience we had together. Some years later, Mrs. Agnes Palmer, our mentor at Jacob’s, became her mother-in-law when Brenda married Eddie Palmer.
As we got older, it was great fun driving to the beach or going to a dance on a Saturday night. Years went by and I moved to Maine, but whenever I visited Needham, I would stop in to see her. We would talk and laugh for hours, as if there was no time or distance between us.
I reached out to Brenda before our 60th reunion, but there was no reply. Incredibly on the reunion Saturday, while we celebrated at Needham Golf club, Brenda had been ill and passed away.
Brenda, I will miss you, but you will live in my heart always.