Vera Constance Palmer (20 Mar 1925 - 26 Dec 2021)

In loving memory of Vera Constance Palmer who sadly passed away on 26th December 2021. Her funeral will take place on 26th January 2022 at 1.00pm, at Basildon and District Crematorium, Bowers Gifford, SS13 2HG.
We ask for family flowers only and, if you wish, a donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a charity that supports those with breast cancer in memory of both Vera and her late daughter Susan.

Vera was born in 1925, the only child of Arthur and Mary (always known as Polly) Lovell. Vera never forgot her London roots, and often talked of her childhood in Fulham and the street where her parents lived all their lives. Most striking were her reminiscences of the war, sleeping in the shelter in the back garden and the bombing that damaged a number of nearby houses.

After the war she started work firstly with Barclays and then Lloyds Bank where she met her husband Alan, they were married in 1950. Roger was born in 1952, followed by Susan in 1957, Brian (1958) and Kevin in 1960. In the late 50s the family relocated to the Southend on Sea area, escaping the pollution of London. Alan commuted to work in the City, whilst Vera had a busy time looking after four growing children as well as various part time jobs. Ever busy, she still found time to pass her driving test as well as taking "O" levels in the 1970s. Later in life she enjoyed the WI and was a passionate member of a local choir.

As time pressures eased Vera and Alan really enjoyed caravanning and their motorhome, they liked nothing more than members of the family getting involved and many happy times were enjoyed during sun filled holidays. It was also a great pleasure in retirement to visit distant family members and friends in Australia, both Alan and Vera were only children and they valued the opportunity to meet and spend time with the relatives they did have.

In retirement they downsized to their bungalow in Hadleigh. Alan passed away in 2008 but Vera continued to live in her home there, for a total of over thirty years. She was exceptionally happy there and her sunny disposition and positive outlook in life sustained her even as her physical and later mental wellbeing began to fail. She was supported by carers and family members and was able to stay on in her own home well into her 90s before moving into a care home. She soon settled into the way of life there and enjoyed the comfort and security it offered. Sadly she was only there for two months before passing peacefully away at the grand age of 96.

A much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was never happier than when surrounded by family and friends, and our lives have been enriched by her.