Helen Clare Palmer

STOW - Helen Clare Palmer, (nee Calder), 79, passed away peacefully April 15, 2022, following a long and courageous struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born June 3, 1942, in Pittsburgh, PA.  Helen grew up in Cincinnati and was a graduate of Woodward High School there. She lived most of her adult life in Northeast Ohio, where she married Tom, her husband of 59 years, in 1962.  In 1977, they moved to Stow, where they raised two daughters, Susie and Patti.

Helen was employed in the print production department at Industrial Publishing Co. in Cleveland and later in the sales audit department at the Revco, (now CVS), corporate office in Twinsburg.

A vivacious and outgoing person, Helen enjoyed meeting new people and volunteered as a greeter for Welcome Wagon in Lakewood. She was active as a mother in Girl Scouts and a member of Lakewood Presbyterian and Kent Presbyterian churches.  She was also actively involved in Dueteers, a couple’s group at Lakewood Presbyterian Church.  After the family moved to Stow, she and Tom were involved with Stow Band Parents during the girls’ high school years.  She was an avid card player, enjoyed bowling, and loved to travel.

Sharing Tom’s love of trains, Helen volunteered with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad selling tickets at the station in Peninsula and volunteering with Tom as Christmas “elves,” serving refreshments to families on the Polar Express.  They also enjoyed train excursions and taking tickets for another railroad group in Akron. She and Tom also volunteered for many years as poll workers at election time.

Helen is survived by husband, Tom; daughters, Susie Stewart and Patti (Wade) Vantrease; grandchildren, Cody Vantrease, Kelly Vantrease, Kyle Vantrease, Alyssa (Nick) Saranas, Ian Stewart, Lydia Stewart, and great-grandson, Andrew Saranas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Cleona Calder.

The family would like to thank the MS Society, Falls Village Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, and Southern Care Hospice, for the wonderful care given to Helen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society , 6155 Rockside Road, Suite #202, Independence, OH  44131.

Interment will be at Northlawn Memorial Gardens in Peninsula. A memorial service will be held at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, 14502 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107, on May 7. Visitation with family at 1 pm and service at 2 pm.