Theresa Palmer

Theresa Palmer, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011 at The Willows in St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday, with the Rosary recited at 4:30 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, Alzheimer's Association of Michigan or Parkinson's Association of West Michigan. Those wishing to sign Theresa's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Theresa was born January 18, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois to Vincenzo & Rose (Pastore) Mandarino. On November 15, 1942, she married Jack Palmer in Benton Harbor. Theresa was formerly employed by Heath Company in St. Joseph, at Cedarwood Medical Center in St. Joseph, and retired in 1982 as office manager for David Hills, MD. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and supported the Lincoln Township Public Library. Theresa was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening, traveling and most of all, the time spent with her family and friends. Theresa is survived by two sons-Bill (Mechele) Palmer of Sacramento, CA, Jack, Jr. (Mary) Palmer of Redding, CA; two grandchildren-Joshua & Cora Palmer; her brother Eugene Mandarino of Palatine, IL; her sister Carolyn Kelly of South Bend, IN; and many nieces and nephews with whom she shared a special affection. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack on December 16, 2004, her brother Vince Mandarino and her sister Marie Mandarino.