Obituary of Agnes L. Palmer

On the afternoon of December 03, 2022, lifelong Bronx resident Agnes Louise Palmer (nee Peterson) died at Calvary Hospital at the age of 92. Agnes was born to Carl Elmer Fritzhoff and Frances Peterson on June 27, 1930, at Lincoln Hospital (Bronx, NY). She was the youngest of six children and their only daughter. On January 20, 1951, she married Orio Alanson Palmer, and together raised six children in the Bronx.

Agnes is predeceased by her husband Orio, her sons Stephen Orio and Orio Joseph, her daughter-in-law Deborah Palmer, son-in-law Joseph McHugh, and great grandson Miles. She is also predeceased by her five brothers (John Seaman, William Peter, Paul Henry, Robert Nestor, and Francis Elmer).

Agnes is survived by daughter Katherine Ann, daughter-in-law Suzanne Palmer, son Vincent Alanson (Anne Marie), and daughters Agnes Marie McCaffrey (James) and Mary Frances Murphy (Roger). Agnes is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Agnes was a shining example of how to overcome adversity and always be there to help others. She was a homemaker while her children were young. At the age of 52 Agnes enrolled in Misericordia Nursing School where she earned her Registered Nurse License– all while continuing to raise her children and performing the duties of a Superintendent of a Bronx apartment building. She retired from the nursing profession ten years later. After her son Orio (FDNY Battalion Chief) was killed during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on 9/11 she volunteered her nursing skills to help with the emergency response. In her later years she took art classes and that became a passion of hers while she drew portraits of FDNY firefighters killed on 9/11 that she gave to the families. That helped her cope with the grief of losing her son, Orio. Her ever-pleasant countenance was on display until the very end, with caretakers commenting on how often she would thank them for their help even when it became difficult to speak. There are so many words that come to mind when describing Agnes. She was kind, resilient, patient, wise, tolerant, loving, thoughtful, caring, tough, and a calming and reassuring presence under challenging conditions. Agnes was simply the best mother a person could wish for. She will be missed by her family and the entire Bronx neighborhood that came to love and respect her.
 

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. in Hodder Farenga Funeral Home, 899 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 9:30 A.M. in St. Barnabas Church, Bronx, NY

Interment will follow in Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, NY