Obituary of Ella Palmer

May 13, 1931 - Estevan, Saskatchewan
July 19, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Ella Palmer of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully with her family on July 19, 2023 at the age of 92 years. 

Ella was born in Estevan, SK on May 13, 1931 to Harry and Frances Korkosh. She grew up at the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Mine near Bienfait, SK (M and S Mine) with her parents and four sisters. Her father was a coal miner and her mother was a homemaker. Ella had fond memories of her childhood and spoke warmly of time spent outside with her sisters, nabbing fresh cucumbers from her mother’s garden, and playing together with other children. Ella developed a lifelong love of gardening and cooking during her youth and returned to Estevan with her sisters to attend M and S Mine reunions later in life.    

In 1949, Ella moved to Calgary, AB with her sisters Myrtle and Mary. Her sister Anne introduced Ella to Cecil James (Cec) Palmer at a Chevron Canada event and they were married at the Chapel of the White Stars in Las Vegas, NV on November 9, 1961. Ella and Cec enjoyed 50 years of marriage together and had one son, James Scott Palmer.

Ella was a member of the Calgary Stampede Visiting Band Committee for 25 years where she volunteered with her husband, sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces. Ella was a member of the Calgary Curling Club and enjoyed playing tennis, squash and golf with family and friends. Ella was also an accomplished quilter and crafter with numerous handicrafts decorating her home. 

Ella and Cec enjoyed a rich social life together with friends from the Calgary Stampede, 403 Squadron RCAF, Royal Canadian Legion, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Chevron Canada, ICG, Calgary Petroleum Club, Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen, Rotary Club of Calgary, Al Azhar Shrine Temple, Royal Order of Jesters, Commissionaires, Calgary Flying Club, and the Aero Space Museum of Calgary among others.

Ella and Cec travelled extensively across Canada, the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, Western Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Ella and Cec enjoyed summer vacations at Mara Lake in Sicamous, BC and later at Lake Powell, Utah.     

Ella loved entertaining and was known for hosting dinners for family and friends at home. She was affectionately called Cookie Grandma by her grandsons and her cabbage roll recipe was a family treasure.     

Ella is survived by her son, Scott Palmer and daughter-in-law Kristin Palmer of Bend, OR; her step-son, Mike MacGregor and wife Susan MacGregor of Edmonton, AB; three grandchildren, Jasper Palmer, Fox Palmer, and Theodore Palmer also of Bend, OR. Ella is also survived by her sister Mary Burrell of Calgary, AB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ella was predeceased by her husband Cec Palmer, her parents Harry and Frances Korkosh, and her sisters Anne Korkosh, Myrtle Murray, and Margaret Gibson.  

A Memorial Service for Ella will be organized by her son, Scott Palmer. Please contact Scott at 650-743-7552 or james.scott.palmer@gmail.com for details.  

The family extends their thanks and gratitude to family, friends, and neighbors including Mary Burrell, Brenda Boyd, Heather Murray, John and Dionne McLellan, Jim and Jackie Lutz, Bev Cameron, and Maria Kreksconaitis. So many people were generous with their time, support, and expertise including the doctors, nurses, and staff at Rockyview General Hospital, Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre, Nurse Next Door, Alberta Home Care, and AgeCare Glenmore.

In living memory of Ella, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.