MARINA PALMER (Nee SHELBY)

1935 – 2026

“I have faith. God will take care of me.”

On Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, Marina Palmer passed away at home at the age of 91.

She is survived by her son Kevin (Maria), grandchildren Kevin Jr. (Stephanie), Jessica, Vanessa (Kyle), great grandchildren Vivian and Victor, sisters Blanche and Lilly, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents William and Amanda Shelby, her beloved husband Howard, sisters Vera, Lorna and Devona, and brothers William and Donald.

Mom was born in Edmonton, Alberta on March 31, 1935, but grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and attended St. John’s Technical High School. She attended Pilgrim Baptist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. In later years, she attended Calvary Temple.

She married Howard Palmer in August of 1964. Due to Howard’s career in the U.S. Airforce, we lived in the U.S. and Germany for several years where mom enjoyed socializing and found pleasure in selling such things as jewelry, wigs, Avon products, and Fashion Two Twenty Cosmetics.

Although mom had several jobs in her lifetime, her proudest accomplishment was being a mom and raising her son.

Mom loved her grandchildren and found joy in attending every soccer game, every school concert and every activity they participated in. She never missed her grandchildren’s birthdays, their graduations, or their religious celebrations. This was her greatest pleasure – to watch them grow and achieve their goals. She was incredibly proud of them and their accomplishments. Mom was overjoyed to become a great grandmother when her first grandchild, Vivian, was born in 2021, and then Victor in early 2026.

After Dad passed two years ago, mom relocated to St. Vital to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Reading her cookbooks (which she had many of) consumed much of her time. She also spent countless hours on her computer searching for recipes.

Above all things, mom deeply loved her son and family. And she was loved in return.

Rest in peace, Mom. We will forever miss you and your words of encouragement.

Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery, 3001 Notre Dame Avenue.