Joanna Palmer

Joanna Drinkwater Palmer passed away on June 11, 2024. Born Giovanna Altomare Bevilacqua on October 25, 1935, in Malden, MA, Joanna grew up in Revere, MA and resided for many years in Melrose, MA. She was a member of the graduating class of 1958 at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, where she met her husband, George.

Joanna's professional life was marked by a passion for education and creativity. She was a talented pianist, a devoted teacher, an inspiring educator, terrific cook, an accomplished artist and craftsperson. Joanna's love for rug hooking and gardening reflected her appreciation for the beauty of the world and her talent for creating. Her hand hooked rugs were featured in exhibitions and publications, and her gardens featured on garden tours. Joanna had a love of learning and quest for knowledge that never ceased throughout her life.

Joanna leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory. She is survived by her devoted spouse, George Palmer, and their daughter, Galen Palmer. She is preceded in death by her father, Joseph J. Drinkwater, her mother, Altomare Vallarelli Drinkwater, her daughter, Marlowe Palmer, her son, Christopher Palmer, and her brother, Richard Drinkwater. Joanna is also survived by her many nieces and nephews: Cassandra Drinkwater and husband Craig Sherman, Trevor Drinkwater and wife Kristy Drinkwater, Jared Drinkwater and wife Julie Drinkwater, J. Tyler Drinkwater and wife Eliza Krpoyan. Grand nieces and nephews are Anthony Drinkwater, Dylan Drinkwater, Paxton Drinkwater, Brendan Bernstein, Jory Drinkwater, Zac Drinkwater, Callie Drinkwater, and Ysabelle Drinkwater. Also remembered are her beloved Drinkwater, Fiumara and Vallarelli cousins, the Hyde family, and her cherished personal aid Wilza Valentin.

Through all the roles she played in life, Joanna was a beacon of love, faith, generosity, and creativity. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. We invite those who knew Joanna to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page as a tribute to this remarkable woman.

Funeral mass for Joanna will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Saint Anthony's Church 250 Revere Street, Revere, MA 02151. Following mass will be the interment at Wyoming Cemetery 205 Sylvan Street, Melrose, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. May we suggest the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://tinyurl.com/ycyxhbt7 or Christopher's Haven http://www.christophershaven.org

Please also feel free to visit Joanna's Facebook page and leave a comment or memory https://www.facebook.com/joanna.d.palmer/