Mary Ann Palmer

Mary Palmer ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home - Bardstown on Mar. 10, 2026.Mary Ann Palmer died March 8, 2026 in Louisville, KY.Mary Ann was born August 18, 1942, to Yolande (Morin) and Kenneth "Dinty" Moore of West Lebanon, NH. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Benton Palmer, of Louisville, Ky. She is survived by son Jonathan Palmer (wife Christie Birsa), grandson Quinton Palmer and granddaughter Cameron Palmer, of Los Angeles, CA; son Adam Palmer (wife Shelley Tykeson Palmer) of Louisville, KY, granddaughter Sophia Palmer of Canton, NC, and grandson Maxfield Palmer of Los Angeles, CA.Mary Ann attended primary school in West Lebanon and then Lebanon High School, graduating in 1960. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rivier University in Nashua, NH in 1960. She later earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Louisville.Throughout her life, she maintained close ties to New Hampshire. Both sets of her grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins lived and worked in West Lebanon and the Upper Valley. Her beloved mother, Yolande, worked at the Red Cross Pharmacy. In New Hampshire, Mary Ann is survived by cousins (their spouses and children): Shawn Smith of Meredith, Mark Romano of Enfield, Robert Marchewka of Portsmouth, and Paul Romano of Plainfield.In 1965, Mary Ann met and married her husband Robert (professionally known as David Palmer) at an artists' conference in New England. He was a touring stage actor at the time, and went on to become a tenured theatre professor at the University of Louisville. The couple and their sons settled in the nearby Old Louisville historic district. There, they renovated two beautiful Victorian era houses, one of which served as the family's cherished home for many years (she personally served as contractor).Over her varied professional career, Mary Ann worked as a high school teacher and a career counselor, impacting the careers of professionals ranging from college students to top executives. She held prominent roles in this capacity at the University of Louisville's Life Planning Center, Louisville firm Right Associates, and for several years with Providian and Aegon. Following the death of her husband in 2000, Mary Ann retired and moved several times: first back to New Hampshire, then Palm Springs, CA and Los Angeles, CA before ultimately returning to Louisville.She stayed in touch with lifelong friends and made new ones at every stop along the way.Mary Ann was an avid reader (her favorite authors included Michael Connelly and Louise Erdrich), an ardent music lover (favorites included Leon Russell, The Spinners, Brandi Carlile and too many more to name) and a die-hard fan of Louisville Cardinals basketball. She had many adored pets and loved cats and dogs in equal measure. She seldom passed up the opportunity to stop by an estate sale, antique store, or auction. Perhaps her greatest passion was her lifelong love of ceramic art, and her estimable collection was a point of great pride in her home.We will miss her, her amazing sense of humor, her fiery spirit, her good advice, and her intense loving loyalty to family and friends.In lieu of flowers or cards, the family is suggesting a donation to the American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.orgTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.