Norma "Nana" (Ballou) Palmer passed peacefully away on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2016, surrounded by her family. Norma lived in Little Compton with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Paul Fontaine-Golembeske.

Norma was born on June 17, 1926, to Doris H. (Bassett) Ballou and George Allan Ballou. Norma was married for 34 years to the late Leeson F. Palmer, who passed away in 1980. Norma and Lee blessed this world with five children: Doris Ann Allenson of Ossipee, NH, the late Patricia Mottram, Allan Palmer of Halifax, Mass., Leeson Palmer Jr. of Wakefield, and Nancy Fontaine-Golembeske of Little Compton. 

Nana also leaves behind a legacy of 12 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Nana was the middle child of Doris and George Allan. She is predeceased by her older sister, Marian (Ballou) Barnes, a resident of Little Compton, and her younger brother, George Allan Ballou.            .

Nana grew up in Pawtucket. When she was a child, she summered in Little Compton with family friends and it was there on the sands of South Shore Beach that she would meet Little Compton native, Leeson Palmer. After they were married, Nana's summers continued to be spent in Little Compton, and in her later years Nana would finally become a full time Little Compton resident when she moved in with her youngest daughter, Nancy.

On the family homestead on Snell Road, Nana found her place among the dogs, horses, and chickens. On any given day, she could be found sitting on the porch enjoying the sunshine and her coffee and feeding the chickens whatever she happened to be eating. Thanks to Nancy, Nana enjoyed her last years there, sharing a home with Nancy and Paul and her granddaughters Chelsea and Tricia. It was also there that many people from the Little Compton community would stop to call and see what was going on. 

Nana was an avid knitter and an expert at crossword puzzles. She taught a knitting class at the library and talked fondly of her young students. Nana was a collector of town news and she loved the Red Sox, largely because her husband was a Yankees fan. Most of all, however, she was a collector of friends. She loved people and she absolutely adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The senior citizen activities, especially the luncheons, were a very important part of Nana's schedule. She also enjoyed getting out to Thursday night concerts at Sakonnet Vineyards.

It is with great sadness that we say good bye, for just as Nana was so greatly loved by so many, she will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on February 25 at 11 a.m. at the United Congregational Church of Little Compton.

Interment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Tiverton.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Little Compton Community Center, PO Box 926, Little Compton, RI 02837.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Rd., Westport, MA 02790.

To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.