Betsy Louise Palmer

Betsy Palmer, aged 84, a resident of North Bennington Vt., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on the morning of April 11, 2024. She was born Betty Louise Holmquist on June 6, 1939, in Chittenden Vt. She was one of nine children. Her parents were Rudolph Viktor Holmquist and Beth Estelle Doty Holmquist. She attended the North Chittenden School as a child, then Barstow Acadamy in Chittenden Vt. She graduated from Pittsford-Barstow High School in 1957. She attended Franklin County Nursing School, in Greenfield MA. and Boston MA. She received her registered nurse degee in 1960. On November 26, 1960 Betsy married James Stanley Palmer. They were high school sweethearts. The wedding took place at the Pittsford Methodist Church in Pittsford Vt. They were married 63 years. The young couple moved to North Bennington in 1960. She lovingly raised a family of four children. She did private duty nursing, which naturally progressed into working for Hospice in Bennington as a coordinator and field worker, for about 6-8 years. She coordinated a bereavement support group in Bennington for 4-5 years. She then started a bereavement support group for children, which brought her great joy and fullfillment. She worked as a garden designer and caretaker in the Bennington area for many years. Betsy was an avid and gifted gardener. She planted and tended a flourishing vegetable garden and many gorgeous flower beds for more than 50 years. She donated excess produce to local food banks and to neighbors. She sewed clothing for her children, taught her daughters to sew, and made many inspired and colorful quilts as gifts for her children and grand children. She took beautiful photos of flowers , nature and people. Betsy loved finding great deals on antiques at tag sales and thrift shops. She especially loved fine pottery, jewelry and interesting garden implements and decor items. she had a sense of humor that couldn't be beat! When she worked for Hospice, she used to share jokes about death and dying with us that may have shocked us a bit. She always attempted to find the bright side of things. She taught us to stand up for ourselves and to think for ourselves. She encouraged us to be who we wanted to be. She was always there to listen to us without judgment. She was a natural born caregiver. She was a fabulous cook and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Betsy and her husband Jim loved to dance to swing, 50's and 60's music. They were very famous for "cutting a rug", at weddings and parties. She was a member of the Bennington chapter of the Religous Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) She is survived by her brother Ed Holmquist and his wife Minnie Holmquist. Her husband James Palmer, her children Andrew Palmer of Bennington. Naomi Palmer, her husband Steven Howard, children, Samuel and Rowan Howard of Asheville, NC. Jessie Palmer, of North Port, FL, her husband Jon Hall, Jessie's daugher Hannah Bunten, Jessie's step children Elizabeth (Hall) Robillard and Duncan Hall and Nicole "Coco" Palmer Dolce, husband Thomas Dolce and son August Dolce, of Asheville, NC. Following with Betsy’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bayada Hospice 190 South Main St. Ste.2 Rutland, Vt. 05701 and/ or VNA Hospice of Southwest Vermont.