Joan Emily Ziegenfuss Palmer Of Hampton Bays Dies February 16

Joan Emily Ziegenfuss Palmer of Hampton Bays died on February 16. She was 80.

Ms. Palmer was born in Laurelton, Queens, on April 26, 1940 to Ethel and Eyer Ziegenfuss and sister to June. She raised her family in Massapequa and resided there for 32 years before moving to Hampton Bays.

Ms. Palmer’s family is grateful to have known her for generosity, grace and welcoming spirit in all that she did. She loved the simple things in life, her family said. A beach chair, her sun hat, a good book and her family around her on a warm summer day was all she really ever wanted.

She was known for the gorgeous arrangements of flowers she would pick from her garden to adorn the dinner table, her family said. Ms. Palmer could find such pleasure in poking around a quaint shop in search of perfect little gifts for the people she loved. She was always thinking of others. People in her life were fortunate to call her friend, mom, grandma, aunt or wife, according to her family. She lived up to every title and expectation with love and grace, they said.

Ms. Palmer was an active member of her church and formed many close friendships through their book and study groups. Ms. Palmer and her husband Cliff loved boating, traveling and spending time on the Island of St. Croix, where they enjoyed their honeymoon in 1965 and vacations with the family ever after.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clifford Mattson Palmer; and her three children, Susan, Christopher and Jill. She is also survived by the eight grandchildren, Michael, Travis, Emily, Jack, Anna, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Mattson.

A private church and graveside ceremony will be held for immediate family on March 13. Online condolences, tributes, photos and memories can be shared on Joan’s Memorial Website Joan-Emily-Palmer.forevermissed.com. Her family plans to keep updating the content as well as to communicate the possibility of a more inclusive memorial service in the future.

In lieu of flowers, a donation made to one of the following in Joan’s memory would be greatly appreciated: The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (stcroixawc.org/bdonate); the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org/donate); or Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 9 Terrace Drive, Hampton Bays, NY 11946.