Westport – Shirley Idella (Taber) Palmer died at her home on her 99th birthday March 4, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Andrew A. Taber and Helen G. (Kirby) Taber, and the wife of the late Albert A. Palmer.
She believed that she was the last person born at Westport Point and was a lifelong Westport resident. She was a cheerleader and graduate of Westport High School, and from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1946. She joined the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII and worked at St. Luke’s, Taunton State, and Providence Hospitals. After graduating she worked in the nursery at St. Luke’s Hospital, then at two pediatrician’s offices in New Bedford. She did private “Night Duty”, and would also care for many local families, delivering vitamins and medications, and nursing people in Westport Point.
She was the unofficial secretary to Westport’s Shellfish Constable and Conservation Agent, answering phone calls and typing reports.
She attended the Friends Meeting in Central Village for many years and was a member of the Westport Point United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, worked to raise money at bake sales, bazaars, and the Rummage Sale.
She was a direct descendant of Francis Cooke and George Soule, a member of the Mayflower Society, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is survived by her children: Daniel A. Palmer and his wife Rosemary of Mansfield; Faith I. Parker of Tiverton, RI; Betsy L. Small and her husband Ronnie; Timothy A. Palmer and his wife Julie; and David R. Palmer and his wife Judy; all of Westport. Grandmother of Alan, Tracy, Eric, Rebecca, Heidi, Heather, Joshua and Molly. Great grandmother of Kyle, Marissa, KC, Michael, Ethan, Wesley, Matthew, Finley, Harper, Savannah, and Ragen. Step-grandmother to Sherry, Corey, Kiah, and Hana. Step-great grandmother to Eli and Logan. Aunt to many nieces and nephews, and especially close to her nieces Cathy Stevens and Meredith Leach.
Great was her loss during childhood of her sister Ruth, later in life of her loving friend Thelma, her sister Glenda K. Broadbent and her husband Walter, her brother Kenneth A. Taber and his wife Ruth, and mother-in-law to the late Richard Parker.
She was most proud of her loving family.
The family would like to thank the staff of Community Nurse Home Care, Attentive Home Care, and especially to Mariana Camara and Brandi Pascual for the love and support which gave her great comfort and happiness.
Services to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Westport Point United Methodist Church at 9:30 A.M.
Calling hours Friday March 10th 5 - 8 P.M. at Potter Funeral Home
Private Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Memorial donations may be made to: Westport Point United Methodist Church - Stained Glass Window Project, or reach out to a friend or neighbor with a single flower.