Mavis E. Palmer

Mavis Elfreda Palmer was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, nurse and many other things. Mavis was born in Brompton, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 18, 1924, to Eleitha Sarai Vassel and Oscar Rowe, and she left this world and entered God's arms on October 19, 2015. She lived her life with the tenacity of a bulldog and worked hard to provide for and support her family. Mavis raised her children while working at the local post office and attending nursing school. She made many sacrifices to ensure that her children would have every opportunity to be successful. After significant effort and dedication, Mavis became a Registered Nurse, and eventually completed additional years in an advanced degree in Nursing after she turned 50 years old. Mavis headed the Pediatric Clinic at Joint Disease Hospital in New York City for over twenty-one years. She was beloved by patients and colleagues, and brought sunshine to anyone she met on the street. Mavis never knew a stranger; she made everyone feel as though they were part of the family, including Danny Glover and Anna Maria Horsford! As if all of that wasn't enough, Mavis was the best cook ever! She made delicious Jamaican cuisine from scratch, and her beef patties, Christmas fruit cake, rum raisin ice cream, fresh juices and lemon meringue pies left many with smiles on their faces and full bellies. Mavis was the matriarch of her very large family, and Thanksgivings and Christmases were filled with joy at her home in the Bronx, and eventually wherever the Palmers gathered. Her family always knew she meant business when she peered at you over the rim of her glasses with her head tilted forward or if she began singing hymns to give her comfort by calling on her faith during troubling times. It was just as easy to brighten her day with flowers and kisses and hugs. Mavis was passionate about God and her family, and she leaves many broken hearts behind. Those who love her are overjoyed that she is reunited with the Lord. Mavis Palmer was predeceased by her parents, Eleitha Sarai Vassel and Oscar Rowe; her beloved brother Calvin; and her adored daughter, Althea. Mavis is survived by her sisters, Evelyn and Daphne; her children, Rene (spouse Donnie), Carl, Lorna (spouse Samuel), Michael (spouse Hope); her grandchildren, Leighton, Jade, Aliha (spouse Cory), Shanelle, Michelyn (spouse David), Shauna, Gia (spouse James), Michael, Christopher, Anthony; her great-grandchildren, Kalea, Kai, Caleb, Noa, Kendall, Michael, Jaden; and Laurel and Sheila. We thank God for her amazing caregivers and the sacrifices they made to take such good care of her, especially Michael and his wife, Hope.