Anna Harman

CLARA L. PALMER, age 99, of Walden Place, Cortland, NY and formerly of 603 Virgil Creek Road, Dryden passed away Thursday, October 4, 2007 at Walden Place after a period of declining health. Mrs. Palmer was born March 16, 1908 at Spring Mills, NY a daughter of the late Earl and Tirza Benedict Smith. Her husband, John B. Palmer, passed away December 3rd, 1987. For many years Mrs. Palmer was Matron of the Cortland County Farm while John was serving as Cortland County Public Welfare Commissioner. She was the oldest living member of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden and enjoyed baking, homemaking, gardening and her family. She was the oldest living member of the Hudson-Fulton-Dryden Chapter #250, Order of the Eastern Star and served as Matron of Dryden Chapter #250. She delighted in seeing her great-granddaughter, Corinne Skala, and was a wonderful and caring mother and grandmother. .

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John E. and Barbara Palmer of Dryden; granddaughters, Cindy (Robert) Skala of Duanesburg, NY and Cheryl Palmer of Horseheads, NY; great granddaughter, Corinne Skala; sisters, Lera Allen, Helen Nye and Edna Bieser; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Yaw of Utica . Clara was predeceased by her brothers, Lawrence and Cecil Smith.

Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, October 6, 2007 in Virgil Rural Cemetery, Virgil, NY. Rev. David C. Robinson will officiate. Those wishing to remember Clara are asked to consider a memorial to The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, P.O. Box 42, Dryden, NY or to The Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY 13045. Arrangements are entrusted to the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com