Burnsville – Helen Anna Ferguson Palmer, 94, of Edgewater, Maryland, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Burnsville on June 3, 2011

She was born November 3, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of the late Edward and Marie O’Day Ferguson.  She was devoted to her husband, children and home.  She loved her “Cottage by the Sea” where she pursued her favorite hobbies of boating, fishing, and spending time on the beach.with her family. She was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and enjoyed reading history and geography.  Her cat Cody was constantly by her side.

She is survived by her five daughters, Joyce Alexander and husband Samuel of Burnsville, Shirley Novella and husband Nicholas of Galesville, Maryland, Gayle Roy and husband James of Berkeley Springs, W. Va., Lynn Bogle and husband Jack of Milan, Tenn., and Carol Plum and husband Walter of Harwood, Maryland; a daughter in law, Phyllis Palmer of Bowie, Maryland;  Fourteen Grandchildren, Thirteen Great Grandchildren, and one Great Great Grandchild; two sisters, Ruth Loy of Shady Side, Maryland, and Elizabeth Barthlow of Hedgesville, W. Va.

She was preceded in death by her husband William N. Palmer, a son William H. Palmer, and a sister Marie Marshall.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater, Maryland, with interment at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Burnsville First Responders, c/o Betty Alexander, 95 Red Hole Valley, Burnsville, Va. 24487