HOLLIS – Sandra “Sandy” L. (Palmer) Severance, 77, of 444 Cape Road passed away in her sleep early Sunday morning on March 8, 2026. She was at her home with her family by her side.
Sandy was born on March 21, 1949, in Portland Maine to Clinton Charles “Pete” Palmer and Shirly Geneva (Cousins) Palmer. At that time, they lived in a camp at the intersection of River Road and the Haley Road. In 1950 they moved to what is now 467 Hollis Road, next door to Pete’s parents.
Sandy graduated from Bonny Eagle High School in 1967. Shortly after, she went to work for Union Mutual Insurance Company located in downtown Portland. She relocated to outer Congress Street when the company built the new building next to the Maine Turnpike.
In December of 1969 she met Ben and in June of 1970 they were married. They traveled extensively, around the New England area. They rented briefly in Standish and Portland. Next, they purchased a mobile home and moved it to the Nichols Trailer Park in Hollis. In June of 1972 they purchased a piece of land from Joseph (Joe) Young. This is now 444 Cape Road and this where they built their family home. While building their new home, Sandy became pregnant with their first daughter, Jennifer. In 1974, Sandy got done at Union Mutual to raise her newborn daughter and continue to help with the house build. Two and a half years later they were blessed with their second daughter Carrie.
Over their fifty-six years of marriage, she and her husband Ben built a home with no mortgage, started and ran two successful businesses, raised a family and continued to travel. They volunteered at Hollis Elementary School doing craft projects in each and every classroom (along with their other dedicated volunteers) and have lived a very rewarding life together. Sandy was a friend, a business partner and above all a kind caring and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. It brought her great joy to be watching a television show or movie and see some of the places they had visited together. Sandy also enjoyed playing cards with the grandkids and having tea parties.
Through most her adult life she struggled with the reality of living with the cruel side effects of rheumatoid arthritis. In the beginning it robbed her joints of their ability to do routine tasks. Sandy never complained she just found ways to adapt to her unfortunate circumstances. She had two knees replaced and one hip. The next blow was the loss of use of her middle, ring and pinky fingers on each hand, surgery was not able to correct the problem so she learned to work with what she had. In late 2025, Sandy began to lose her eyesight. She was advised that this was also a side effect of her rheumatoid arthritis. While trying to treat this latest setback, she started having serious medical issues with other organs, which ultimately led to her passing.
Sandy was predeceased by her parents, Pete and Shirley Palmer and a grandson, Jeffrey Davis.
Sandy is survived by her husband Irving Benjamin (Ben) Severance, daughter Jennifer Markham, her husband Shawn and their daughters Samantha and Morgan. She is also survived by her daughter Carrie Davis and her son’s Jesse, Jameson and Jackson.
If you knew Sandy at all you may have heard her, say, “For the first part of my life, I was known as Pete’s daughter, and the rest of my life I was known as Ben’s wife.” While that may have been somewhat true, she was much more comfortable in a behind the scenes role rather than standing at a podium and addressing the world. Sandy was the person who supported those around her with gentle persuasion; nothing loud, nothing intimidating, just kind and loving encouragement.
From granddaughter’s Sam and Morgan
We grew up playing outside with our cousin while Grammy watched us through the kitchen window. Digging our holes to China or playing with our bunnies. Grammy was always there. Before we were old enough for school our Grammy watched us and read to us, and when we started going to school, we would start and end each day with Grammy and Papa.
Grammy and Papa’s house is a place full of love, laughter and memories. When we were little, we would sleep over, snuggled up in our pink cots while Grammy read us bedtime stories. Our favorite books were Harold and The Purple Crayon and Cinderella. When we got off the bus, Grammy would always ask “what’d you do today?”, followed by snacks. One of our favorites to share with her and Papa were cucumber and miracle whip sandwiches, or ritz with peanut butter and fluff. After having a snack, we would quickly run outside or to the shop.
She’d watch us ride our bikes around. She looked at the bugs and rocks we collected, even when we grew up. Parents may say, you’ll always be our baby, but never have we felt more like a baby than in the arms of our Grammy.
For my, (Sam’s) 20th birthday Grammy got me the latest edition of Harold and The Purple Crayon, along with a hand written note. She read it to me like she did when I was little and we both cried. I will treasure that book, note and especially that moment with her forever. She wrote, “Who knew I would still be reading to you” - Love Grammy
Today, you told us you were proud of us. We hope when you look down from heaven, we can continue to make you proud. We love you Grammy.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Beacon Hospice for the assistance they gave Sandy in her final weeks and especially Jodi, Wanda and Karen for the compassion and kindness they showed the rest of our family as well. This would have been much more difficult for us without them.
As per Sandy’s request there will be no public funeral service. In the Spring, she will be laid to rest at Bear Hill Cemetery in Hollis beside her parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hollis Lion’s, 876 Hollis Road, Hollis, Maine 04042.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com