Obituary of Ceda Lee Palmer

June 18, 1944 – Edmonton, AB

June 3, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Ceda Lee Palmer, beloved wife of Peter John Palmer, of Airdrie, AB, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the age of 79 years.

Ceda was born in Edmonton, AB, on June 18, 1944, and grew up in Allendale. She met and fell in love with Peter in 1962 when she was working at the U of A, where he was a student. After dating and dancing through all the clubs in Edmonton, they married in 1963. Ceda and Peter started their family in Edmonton and moved to Calgary, AB, in 1970. After the kids started school, she decided to pursue a career as a nursing aide and worked hard at caring for patients at the Foothills Hospital for twelve years.

Ceda was dedicated to balancing her roles as a mom and homemaker while also being a full-time shift worker. She enjoyed and helped orchestrate many fun camping trips over the years, with especially fond memories of the family’s long road trip adventures to the USA to visit Disneyland and Disneyworld, as well as her namesake aunt and cousin in Memphis and Florida.

Ceda lived with some very difficult health challenges, including focal dystonia in her neck and debilitating osteo and rheumatoid arthritis throughout her body, which eventually forced her to give up her career and confined her to a wheelchair later in life. Despite this, and with Peter’s loving care and support, they enjoyed years of RVing and many trips to Las Vegas, of which she had particularly fond memories.

Ceda was a strong and proud woman with a sharp sense of humour. She will be most remembered for her love story with Peter, who was completely devoted to her throughout their happy and loving 61-year marriage. After leaving their longtime home in Calgary for two years of snowbird RV living, they decided to settle down again in Carstairs, AB, where they enjoyed a quiet lifestyle for fifteen years before recently relocating to Airdrie, AB. 

Besides her loving husband, Ceda is survived by her daughter Sandra (Rich) of Airdrie, AB, and her son Curtis (Lynn) of North Vancouver, BC; grandchildren Jamie (Amanda) of Richmond, BC, Richard (Marnie) of Calgary, AB, Danielle (Nic) of Nanaimo, BC; as well as four beautiful great-granddaughters.

Ceda is also survived by her family in the greater Edmonton, AB, area, including brother Lyle (Cathy), sister Lynn (Vern), and brother Dan (Barb); as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. She will also be dearly missed by her sister-in-law, Dr. Wendy Palmer of Richmond, BC, and her family. 

Ceda was predeceased by her father, Cliff McDermid, mother, Julia Erdelyan, and brother, Jim McDermid, as well as her most beloved Aunt Ceda Lee.  

The Palmer family would like to acknowledge the healthcare team from Didsbury Home Care for their years of caring assistance, as well as those who cared for and supported Ceda and her family in Unit 3 of Carewest George Boyack.

A Celebration of Ceda’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive) on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Graveside Service to follow at Airdrie Cemetery (33 Big Hill Way SE, Airdrie).

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Palmer’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Arthritis Society Canada, Suite 300, 220 Bay St, Toronto, ON  M5J 2W4  Telephone: 1-800-321-1433, https://arthritis.ca or to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation Canada, PO BOX 1009 STN Toronto Dom, Toronto, ON M5K 1P2 Telephone: 1-800-361-8061, https://dystoniacanada.org. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ceda’s family here.

In living memory of Ceda Lee Palmer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Ceda Lee Palmer’s Funeral Service