Ena Mae (Earl) Palmer (1930 - 2015)

Born 20 Jul 1930 in Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Leonard C Palmer — married 25 Jun 1950 in Nez Perce, Idaho, United States

Died 15 Apr 2015 at age 84 in Oregon City, Oregon, United States

Biography

Obituary

After a long and vibrant life, Ena Mae Palmer passed away in Oregon City, Ore., on April 15, 2015. She was 84.

Ena Mae (also called "Mae Mae") was born July 20, 1930, in Lewiston, to Art and Ellen Earl. She graduated from Lewiston High School, and soon after she met the love of her life, Leonard (Blackie) Palmer. They were married in 1950 and several years later had one child, Jennie Lee.

Ena Mae was very active in her community in Lewiston, receiving the Woman of the Year Award in 1962 for her extensive community involvement.

In 1963, the family moved away from Lewiston for a job Leonard had accepted in Oregon. They settled in Oregon City and stayed in the same home the rest of their lives, a total of 52 years.

The matriarch of the family, Ena Mae was a homemaker who made infamous meals such as "chicken dinner" and "four layered dessert." She was well known for her exceptionally clean house, and even more, for her immaculate yard. Gardening was an activity she enjoyed each and every day and it was something she was extremely proud of.

Ena Mae also took pride in setting the bar high when it came to taking care of pets. She had several cats and dogs throughout her life, all of which she pampered (some might say spoiled). Her pets were darn lucky.

In fact, anyone who came across Ena Mae was darn lucky to have known her. She was a high-energy, action-oriented, loving and sensitive wife, mother and grandmother. She abided by one philosophy in life - to "get to going." To her, that phrase meant to live life to the fullest, get your work done, laugh loud, love relentlessly and be tough.

Ena Mae had three grandchildren, Nick, Christina and Tony. She always went above and beyond the call of duty as a grandma. She was always supportive and loving, and most importantly, she was always there. She never missed any of her grandkids' school activities or sporting events and she was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Ena Mae was special because she was able to not only stay close with her immediate family, but she remained a close family member and friend to those still living in Idaho. She stayed in close contact with her brothers and sisters, and cultivated deep relationships with her sister Sharon's children and grandchildren. She loved each and every one of them as if they were her own.

Ena Mae had countless friends and neighbors who all cared deeply for her. She was a social butterfly who always had a full calendar of lunches with friends, letter writing to those friends further away, and gossiping with neighbors up and down her street. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have met her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Palmer; mother Ellen Earl and father Art Earl; son-in-law Robert Skellenger; sisters Marge and Sharon; and brothers Lee and Art (Junior). She is survived by her daughter Jennie; grandkids Nick, Christina and her husband Tyson, and Tony and his wife Katie; great-grandchildren Dorian, Mira and Cooper; siblings Darlene, Howard and Bob and sister Sharon's family, including Ed Randall and his children and grandchildren.

A service will be held in remembrance of Ena Mae Palmer at 10 a.m. May 2 at the Lewis and Clark Memorial Gardens. There will be a reception afterward at 3622 12th Street, Lewiston. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/ena-mae-palmer/article_8506949e-e488-5687-ae6d-add32df02f98.html

• "United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VY4Y-3RV : accessed 20 April 2015), Enos Mae Earl in household of Arthur T Earl, Orchards, Election Precinct 27, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 35-38, sheet 9A, family 179, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 751.

• "Idaho, Marriage Index, 1947-1961," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8H2-9LB : accessed 20 April 2015), Leonard Palmer and Ena Mae Earl, 25 Jun 1950; citing Marriage, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States, certificate 03376, Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, B