Ruth Geraldine (Jeri) Palmer
2/21/1925 – 1/12/2013
Jeri Palmer, beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, and Grandmother, passed away at the age of 87 on January 12, 2013. Jeri was born in Vermillion, Ohio on February 21, 1925.
She moved with her family to California where she was working in a shoe store in Studio City where she met Richard Palmer (Dick) when she sold him a pair of 13 B’s. Dick fondly talks about seeing Jeri climbing on the ladder in the shoe store to retrieve a pair of shoes for him to try on. He loved how her long pony tail would swish back and forth as she walked down the street in Studio City. Jeri married Richard Palmer in 1954 and they had one daughter, Kim.
The family moved to Santa Barbara to run a business. Jeri absolutely loved Santa Barbara. She always said she “felt lucky” to live here. Jeri worked with Dick at their store on Carrillo Street, Appliance Sales and Service, as the bookkeeper for many years. Jeri was a long-time member of the La Cumbre Country Club where she enjoyed doing water aerobics at the pool and having many wonderful afternoons lunching with her family and friends. Jeri had a passion for shopping and could often be found browsing at La Cumbre Plaza in her spare time. Many of the sales personnel at the then “Robinson’s” knew Jeri by name.
She lived happily with Dick in Hope Ranch at the corner of Las Palmas and Veja Drive for over 30 years before “downsizing” in later years. Jeri had a wonderful sense of humor that often delighted everyone around her. She loved animals and had a passion for horses. She loved the outdoors, and the beauty of her surroundings in Santa Barbara, and most of all she loved her family.
Jeri leaves behind her loving husband of 58 years, Dick, her daughter Kim, Son-in-Law Bill, Grandson Nick and Nick’s wife Kelly, her Sister June, Brother-in-Law Warren, Nieces Beth and Mercedes, Nephews Bill, Scott, and Toby.
Her wonderful loving spirit, generosity, and kindness will be missed by all her family and friends. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff members at Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital and Mission Terrace for caring so lovingly for Jeri in her final days, and also her special caregivers at home, Reese and Gabby. Fifty eight years of marriage can fly by so quickly – in lieu of flowers the family would love to have you remember Jeri by taking a loved one out for a wonderful meal – time together is so precious.