Obituary: Suzanne Palmer

Suzanne Palmer, of Sagamore Hills, Ohio passed away on April 17, 2024 at the age of 83. She was born on October 22, 1940 in Bristol, England to the late Harold and Phyllis Simmons. She had vivid childhood memories of living in wartime Britain during World War II and experiencing bombings, air raid sirens, gas masks, and food rationing. Her family emigrated to Richmond Heights, Ohio in 1959, and her father began working at Parker Hanifan. She held three degrees from Western Reserve University, including a Doctorate in Business Management. One of her proudest days was when she became an American citizen in 1992. She worked for an oil company in California, a venture capitalist in Cleveland, and the personnel department at Stouffer’s. She worked in the treasurer’s office of Firestone Tire and Rubber. After Bridgestone purchased Firestone, she became assistant treasurer of that company. She ended her career in finance as a financial consultant with her husband, Bill, at Merrill Lynch. She was married to Bill for 54 years. As a couple, they enjoyed traveling, gardening, good food, cooking, and their beloved cats. She enjoyed the planting and tending of the many flower gardens that beautify the home they moved into in 1974. She was known as a problem solver, from things financial to designing home and building additions. Beginning in the early 1970’s, Suzanne and Bill found a home at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Macedonia, Ohio. Suzanne served on the congregation’s Vestry and Finance Committee, chaired the long range planning committee, led building programs, and served as a reader. She served on the Trustees of the Diocese of Ohio. She loved the arts and was a great supporter of the Cleveland Orchestra; she served on the board of several dance companies. She is survived by her husband Bill; brother, Roger Simmons of Santa Fe, New Mexico, nieces, Dianna Birdwell of Vermilion, Ohio, Jacqueline Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio, Danielle Dore of Lakewood, Ohio, and Michelle Jurickovich of Makawao, Hawaii, and brother in law, Roy Palmer of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 am at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 8667 Shepard Road, Macedonia, Ohio, 44056. The family will greet people, beginning at 9:30 am, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Suicide Loss Support Group Ministry of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church or Open M of Akron, 941 Princeton Street, Akron, Ohio, 44311. Arrangements by Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, Northfield, OH. www.johnsonromito.com