Elspeth (Murphy) Palmer 67, of Tampa, FL, formerly of Needham, MA, passed away on November 21, 2025. Born on May 6, 1958, she was the beloved daughter of the late Alfred John Murphy of East Boston and Jean Baker Murphy of Mission Hill.
Elspeth grew up in Needham and attended St. Joseph’s School and Ursuline Academy. It was at Ursuline that she met the love of her life, Dominic (“Nick”) Michael Palmer III, who attended Xaverian Brothers High School and happened to be auditioning for the same school play with her.
Elspeth later graduated from Smith College with a degree in biology and went on to work in a variety of science and laboratory roles. She and Nick often found themselves living in different cities early on. Ever creative, Elspeth once mailed Nick a fetal pig’s heart from her lab as a Valentine’s Day gift—her own unique way of keeping their long-distance romance alive.
Nick and Elspeth married on April 24, 1982, and welcomed three children together. Their family relocated several times—first to Shaker Heights, Ohio, then to Munich, Germany—before eventually returning to Needham, where they made their home for more than 25 years. In Needham, Elspeth became woven into the community: coaching sports, volunteering with St. Joseph’s Thousand Club and Christmas Bazaar, and supporting her children in every direction their interests took them through high school. Elspeth co-owned and operated the Scandia Down Shops in the Chestnut Hill Mall. She poured her heart into the business, taking pride in every detail to keep the store thriving.
Elspeth treasured afternoons horseback riding at Sage Farm in Dover alongside friends or with her daughter Margaret. She enjoyed weekday golf outings with the Needham ladies, and she cherished ski trips with her family out west to Utah and Colorado. In more recent years, Elspeth became an avid quilter, designing and creating stunning quilts, proudly displayed by her children and grandchildren in their homes.
From camping in Denali National park for her honeymoon, to Oktoberfest in Germany, to visiting small Tuscan villages, to pink sand beaches in Bermuda and crystal clear waters of St Thomas, and countless Disney World trips— Elspeth embraced every adventure. But no trips meant more to her than trips to Scotland, where two of her children went to college, got married, built their lives, and where her granddaughters now live. Scotland became a second home to her, full of friends, family, and traditions. Elspeth developed close bonds with her children’s friends and in-laws. One of the most difficult moments in her health journey was learning she could no longer fly overseas to visit her children and grandchildren.
We remember Elspeth for her unfiltered honesty, humor, resilience, and immeasurable love. Even as her chronic illness painfully progressed, she continued to find good in every day — forging new paths (“problem solving,” as she called it), and bringing levity to everyone around her. Her trust in God’s plan sustained her in the face of great suffering. She was a magnet, a loyal friend, stubborn, devoted, and the heart of our family. We see her everywhere - in her quilts and art, in our deeds, words and phrases, and from the beautiful stories from friends and family. We are so proud of the fight she fought.
Elspeth is survived by her devoted husband, Nick; her children and their spouses, Caroline Holstein (Andrew) of North Andover, John Palmer (Tessa) of Dornoch, Scotland, and Margaret Akers (Christopher) of Edinburgh, Scotland; and her cherished grandchildren, Henry and Charlie Holstein, and Eilidh and Marie Palmer. Her family was her greatest joy; simply hearing the names of “my babies” would lift her from even the most difficult days. She is also survived by her siblings—Susan Murphy of Needham and Sequim, Washington, Alfred Murphy of Needham, Jane Murphy of Needham, and Gretchen Parchesky of South Kingstown Rhode Island - and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Al and Jean; her in-laws, Dom and Jill; and her brothers-in-law, Steven and Dean.
We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary care and compassion shown by the doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Visiting hours Thursday, December 4, from 4-7p.m. George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave, Needham.
Funeral Mass in St. Joseph's Church, Needham, Friday, December 5, at 11 a.m. followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elspeth’s memory may be made to Haiti Health Promise of Holy Name/ Hôpital Sacré Coeur
https://crudem.org/you-can-help/give/