Valerie Kay Palmer

VALERIE KAY PALMER Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Saturday, July 9th for Valerie Palmer who died at her Santa Cruz home on June 28, 2011 following a brief but brave battle she fought against cancer. She was 33 years old. Born in Carmichael, California, she lived her entire life in Santa Cruz. She attended elementary school in the Live Oak School District. She also attended Soquel High School, and Cabrillo College. She had hoped to be able to complete her education at San Jose State University and become a lawyer. Valerie was gifted in art and music. She played the piano and tenor saxophone, and especially loved singing in the Soquel High Jazz Choir. Her family has fond memories of Valerie, at 12 years old, serving as a leader in the 4-H rabbit project in Live Oak. She became a wonderful teacher and authority on showing rabbits. The family recalls that as a very young teenager she organized and managed a youth rabbit show - arranging for judges, ordering trophies, assisting the rabbit owners in housing the rabbits, and providing assistance to the adults who sought her guidance. She is survived by her mother and father, Karen and Gary Palmer of Santa Cruz, her sons Riley Gorodsky - age 9, Nathan Hutchins - age 4, and by her sister Robin Palmer Sutherland of Lehi, Utah. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 (enter from Pacheco Avenue) beginning at 2:00 p.m. Any memorial contributions may be made in the names of her children, to be reserved for them in their savings accounts. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to share any memories of Valerie, or condolences with her family.