In Memory of Rev. Emily Morse Palmer (December 15, 1929 – March 30, 2023)

Emily was born on December 15, 1929, in Marlborough, MA to Harold S. Morse and Esther Clark Morse. She grew up as a Unitarian in a family whose religious and social life centered around the Unitarian Church. She attended a Unitarian Church that her father’s family had attended for generations and loved her Sunday School. As a child, she envisioned herself as a minister. 

Emily received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Social Science from Gettysburg College in 1950. Following college, she married (1952) and lived in a small town in Pennsylvania. Emily worked as a kindergarten teacher before she had four children. While raising her children, she earned her Master of Education specializing in Counseling from Shippensburg University, PA (1976), and obtained a state-funded position in a parochial school where she worked as a counselor for disadvantaged students. During all these years, Emily wanted to become an integral part of the future of the Association that she strongly believed in. After her divorce in 1983, she decided to follow her heart’s desire and study for the ministry. She was determined to work as a minister in the tradition that was so important to her. In 1984, she graduated with her Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.

Rev. Palmer was ordained by the Fairfax Unitarian Church, Oakton, VA on June 13, 1985.

She served her first settled ministry with three yoked parishes in Vermont and Canada. Derby Line First Universalist Parish, the West Burke Universalist Society, both in Vermont, and the North Hatley Unitarian Universalist Church in Quebec. During her tenure of two years with these parishes, she preached 52 sermons a year, supported ongoing religious education programs for children, and helped look at alternatives for their small church school. Her next ministry was as an interim Assistant with Rev. Joyce Smith and Rev. Betty Baker at the UU Congregation of Atlanta, GA (1988-1989). The following year she moved to the Lake Region UU Fellowship, Lakeland, FL (1989-1990). Her ministry there thrived in many respects; attendance in the morning services nearly doubled and she was especially cited for her outstanding pastoral care. 

From 1991 to 1992, Rev. Palmer provided interim ministry to the UU Congregation of Wilmington, NC (1991-1992). She bought stability to a floundering group searching for a full-time minister, streamlined the Sunday service announcement procedures, helped set up term limits for chairs, and reactivated the Committee on the Ministry. She was well-received by the congregation and the community of Wilmington. Thereafter Rev. Palmer served the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, NC (1992-1993) and the UU Church of Fort Myers, FL (1993-1995). In 1995, Rev. Palmer did a short interim for the Southwest UU Church, North Royalton, OH. It marked a positive experience for the church as they broadened their hopes for the future and became a more dynamic group. After that, she served for nine months as a sabbatical interim at the Second Congregational Meeting House Society UU, Nantucket, MA (1998-1999). Her ministry at the UU Congregation of Miami, FL (2001-2002) prepared the congregation for a settled minister and helped foster a healthier and more positive approach to communication between the board and the committees, and the membership. Subsequently, from 2003 to 2004, Rev. Palmer provided her interim services to the Don Heights Unitarian Congregation, Ontario, Canada.

Rev. Palmer’s sense of humor and zest for life were quite apparent in the pulpit. She moved from church to church in varied geographical areas making great contributions to the life of the congregations. She encouraged the congregants to commit themselves to action or examination of a situation. She also worked in interims overseas, in Adelaide, Australia, and in Auckland, New Zealand helping congregations prepare for a settled minister. 

In addition to her ministry, Rev. Palmer served the denomination as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association, and as a contributing member of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). She was equally involved in community affairs serving on the board of the Franklin County (PA) Children’s Aid Society (1969-1975) and on the board of the Franklin County Child Care Advisory (1978-1981).  

Emily had a great love for people and an ability to relate almost instantly to persons of all ages. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, reading, birding, tennis, biking, music, camping, and shelling. She had traveled all fifty states and seven continents and was a weekly rover volunteer at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, FL.

Emily is survived by her four children: Linden Palmer Madara (Steven), Sidney M. Palmer, Page Palmer Nitterhouse (Craig), and Grant S. Palmer (Heather); as well as twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

She was given a green burial in Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, FL on April 6, 2023. A celebration of life was held at Shell Point Retirement Community, FL on April 14, 2023. 

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Lin Madara, 7999 Craginhall Court, Dublin, OH 43017.