Mary Melissa Pyle Palmer

Mary Melissa Pyle Palmer passed peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was surrounded in love by family and was almost 98 years old. She was born March 21, 1928 in Jennerstown, PA to Ellis and Sylvia (Pickworth) Pyle. Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, her four siblings, her husband, Thomas Palmer Jr. and grandson, Patrick Lee. She is survived by: her three children, Linda (William) Lee of Dublin, Ohio, Elizabeth Palmer (Michael Harkins) of Santa Rosa, California and Thomas (Jill) Palmer of Powell, Ohio; five grandchildren, Melissa McMurray of Naples, Florida, Evan (Christa ) Lee of Denver, Colorado, Andrew (Kelsey Weidinger) Lee of Columbus, Ohio, Cole Palmer of Houston, Texas and Jay Palmer of Columbus, Ohio; six great-grandchildren, Marin McMurray, Reid McMurray, Carys McMurray, Eloise Lee, Amelia Lee, Clara Lee; sisters-in-law Jean Pearce and Evelyn Pyle; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was raised in a loving home in Jennerstown, PA. She was the third of five children. She graduated from Boswell High School in 1946 and from Indiana State Teachers College in 1950 (the first of her family to graduate from college). She married Thomas Palmer Jr. on August 18, 1950 and they moved to Warren, Ohio where they raised their family. Mary taught 4th grade for 30 years in the same classroom at Emerson Elementary School in Warren. Mrs. Palmer was known for her Ohio History curriculum and Ohio Notebook Project! Mary lived a life of purpose and service, and embraced her faith. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Warren, Ohio, Oakhurst United Methodist Church in Seminole, Florida, and most recently Powell United Methodist Church in Powell, Ohio. Tom and Mary provided a loving, joyful home. As a family, they enjoyed many camping vacations in the US and Canada and travelled back to PA often to visit family and friends. Holidays were always special celebrations in their home. Picnics, cookouts and family reunions were a regular part of family life. Mary and Tom travelled to all 50 states, enjoyed visiting many National Parks and made several trips to Europe. With the help of family and friends, they built a cabin in the Allegheny National Forrest and enjoyed 20 years of gatherings there. After retirement they lived their “dream life” spending summers in Cortland, Ohio and winters in sunny Seminole, Florida. Family meant everything to Mary. Her greatest joy was spending time with and hearing from family. She continued the genealogical research her mother had begun. Her travels often included a stop or two for research. She worked on genealogy until her last days and had published several books. Mary and Tom were married 67 years. After Tom’s death, Mary made the decision to move closer to family and lived for almost 9 years at StoryPoint South Senior Living in Powell, Ohio. She was grateful to live her last years in such a beautiful place and had many wonderful friends there. She embraced the activities and programs available at StoryPoint and was a founding member of the Yarn Club. This group of friends made blankets and hats for children entering foster care in central Ohio. They donated hundreds of blankets to the organization “My Very Own Blanket” for distribution in the community. Mary truly loved the staff at StoryPoint, the staff at Corso Care and her caregiver of many years, Susan. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 West Olentangy Street, Powell, Ohio where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Justin Williams will officiate the service. A Private Burial will be held at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery in Seville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to “My Very Own Blanket” 407 W. Main St., Westerville, Ohio 43081 or to The Powell United Methodist Church, 825 Olentangy St., Powell, Ohio 43065.

Mary Melissa Pyle Palmer

March 21, 1928 - February 15, 2026