Passed away peacefully at LHSC-University Hospital, London on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 of Exeter in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late Wilber (Bill) Palmer (1984). Jean will be sadly missed by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families. Jean is predeceased by her parents George and Wilda Hepburn, and her brother Jack Hepburn. Jean was a faithful member of Exeter United Church. She cherished the friendship of her many good friends and neighbours.
Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William St, Exeter on Friday, September 14th from 12:30 – 1:30 PM, where the funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM. Interment Exeter Cemetery.
In memory of Jean, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Exeter United Church, or South Huron Hospital Foundation-Jessica’s House would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Pauline Clarke
I did not know she had passed away, she was my aunt and a wonderful one. Love Pauline
Barbara & Bill Girard
We were very sad to hear that Jean has passed away. She has been a wonderful friend to my parents and us children (now adults) for many years. We will cherish all the fond memories. Loads of love to you Jean!
Heather Brandon-De Souza
Jean Palmer was always “Aunt Jean” to the Brandon kids (grandchildren of her friends, Elmer and Etta Powe and children of Bruce and Elaine Brandon). I have so many happy memories of our visits, especially when she lived in Port Dalhousie and St. Catherines. She was always so kind to us, and listened so attentively and encouragingly. She’d greet us with pizza for dinner, and show us her cats and teddy bear collection – perfect activities to entertain three energetic children! Aunt Jean was the first person I ever knew to paint a mural in her home, and I always think of her when I see decorative floral wreaths and Angie Strauss sweatshirts. It was always such a pleasure to reconnect with Aunt Jean, and I know her kind presence will be missed by many.
Jeff & Scott
A very kind lady and neighbour to us.
Sorry for your loss.
Ena de Haan
A bit late and after her memorable funeral service I feel the need to say how much we enjoyed Jean’s presence at our Sunday brunches, her sweet face & smile and how we’ll miss her as so many others have expressed.
Such a shock that this time she did NOT make it through as she had a few times after a “spell”………..
We are sad but she is not, thank God for accepting Jean with arms wide open as we know! Bye Jean.
Wendi Schwindt
I will always remember singing in the choir at Exeter United Church with Jean. She always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye. There is an angel in heaven now singing quietly and beautifully.
Bob and Helen Coates
We always enjoyed Jean’s smiling face at church. She was always so friendly and gracious. We will miss this lovely lady. Bob and Helen Coates
Sarah and Steve vanBreda
So sad to hear of Jean’s passing and our condolences to the family. Three of our kids mowed her lawn these past years and always enjoyed chatting with her about her lawn, her garden with its little bridge and ornaments. She was a lovely lady and our family will miss knowing her.
Molly McClure and son Timothy
Jean Palmer was a very special woman in my life. She was one of my favourite guests to our home during my childhood. Jean’s visits were always eagerly anticipated. She was such a welcome visitor and brought so much joy to our house. Jean would often arrive with very special gifts for our family. Once she gifted us a beautiful carved wooden apple, painted with such craftmanship that it looked just like a real apple. On another occasion, she gave us a beautiful glass paperweight that contained a tuft of milk-weed inside. I always wondered at how they could have managed to get all those beautiful feathery white tufts inside of the glass….it was a source of wonder and curiosity and a real conversation piece. These gifts were treasured and had a special place on our living-room coffee table and mantle piece. Jean was always so kind with her words and had a beautiful smile. She had a wonderful sense of humour and a beautiful smile and brought with her a peaceful and relaxed energy. Jean Palmer gave me some very special gifts that were just for me as well. A fun hand-made doll and the cutest teddy-bear. When Jean would visit we would always enjoy having meals with her, sitting beside her in the living room and visiting and playing the piano for her. Sometimes being asked by a parent to play something on the piano was a chore or not really something that we really wanted to do. But with Jean, the piano was a hub of joy. I can remember my Mom playing the piano when Jean was visiting and I always enjoyed showing Jean the songs I was learning to play.
We had many wonderful visits with Jean at her beautiful home in St. Catherine’s. Visiting Jean was a treat. Her home was always so welcoming and clean and beautiful. I loved her cats and how much Jean loved her cats and how she talked with them. Jean had a collection of beautiful multi-coloured glass balls and special blown glass pieces. She had these beautifully displayed and even had special lights that would shine up through them. I thought they were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Her house was filled with special things. We always enjoyed our visits there. From Jean’s house in St. Catherine’s we had many special outings to Niagara Falls and places like Ball’s Falls Conservation Area for hikes in autumn amongst the beautiful autumn foliage. My Mom always really enjoyed her visits with Jean and my Dad was usually on good behaviour and pleasant in her presence. Jean had a wonderful presence.
As an adult, I enjoyed visiting Jean at her home in Exeter. When my son was an infant, I visited with Jean and we had wonderful conversations and found out we had so much in common. Later I visited Jean when my son was a toddler. We enjoyed exploring her garden and all the special whimsical touches she had put on her garden. Jean, always generous gave my son one of her special teddy-bears that she had in her house. He really loved that teddy-bear on his trip to Ontario. When my son was older, we had nice visits with Jean. Jean had to be getting up there in age, but she still seemed like the same Jean Palmer. She still had the beautiful smile and kind eyes and great sense of humour. And she had a wonderful presence with children. My son enjoyed being able to walk down to the playground at McNaughton Park on Jean’s suggestion. It is still one of his favourite places to play.
Jean holds a very special place in our hearts. She was a very positive influence in our lives and is well loved by our family. She was generous and always had time for us and lots of calm energy for us. She was always so nice to talk to and was one of those adults that really listened and enjoyed conversations with children.
I can still hear Jean’s voice and see her beautiful smile. A few years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Niagara Falls area with my son and we had a wonderful hike at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, visiting the Butterfly Conservatory and gardens along the Parkway. Jean was on my mind the whole time. Those were special places we had visited with Jean and they are full of great memories.
Jean will always hold a special place in our memories and brought so much joy to those around her.
Our sympathies and condolences to all Jean’s family and friends,
Molly McClure and Timothy ( 9)
Susan McClure
Jean was such a lovely lady. Our family was fortunate to meet her as a neighbour when she cared for her aged father George Hepburn on their farm on the 4th concession of Stephen (wonderful they had the longevity genes!). For us young kids, Jean was an important role model – showing us the power of grace amidst grimness. Her gentle, kind spirit unintentionally kept us kids on our best behaviour. Jean gave us a special fun vacation away at her home in Port Dalhousie that we all remember fondly. It was inspiring to see how Jean created a comfortable, beautiful and creative home for herself when she returned to Exeter.
Condolences to everyone who will be missing Jean’s kind spirited smile.
David McClure
Jean’s death brings back many fond memories of her and the Hepburn family who were our neighbours on their farm on the Aux Sables line in Stephen Township.Jean hosted my children for a nice holiday at her former St.Catharines home before she came back home after her husband’s death.. My children,Matthew ,Sarah and Susan, remember Jean’s kindness when she treated them to ice cream cones at the Avondale Dairy.When the Hepburns sold their farm Jean donated their beautiful old Berlin Piano to our family.That piano brought much melody and mirth to our home and was where my daughter ,Molly ,practised her piano lessons .Our family will always remember Jean’s kindness and their entertainment of our family in the old Hepburn home .
Jack Triebner
Our condolences go out the family and relatives of
the late Jean Palmer , From a Neighbour and friend .
Jack & Betty .
Dianne Waun
Jean was a perfect example of growing old gracefully and I want to be like her when I am 92.
I got to know her better in the last few years at our after-church lunch group and will always remember her quiet friendly manner
and her beautiful attention to detail in her clothing and jewelry.
Rest in peace, Jean and thankyou for your friendship.
Dianne
debby stanush
I am so so sorry to hear of your loss…Jean was a special lady….loved going there for tea….and took my sister a couple of times too….she would tell us stories about the squirrels and birds…always so happy….read to us about her wedding and how she met her husband…shall miss her very much ….My condolences to all of you…Love Debby xo
Ray and Judy Mills
We will miss Jean and her smiling face, her sincere interest in each person she met and her enjoyment of things that took place in Centralia and Centralia United Church.