Obituaries: November 3, 2013

Frances P. Donovan, 102 years of age, passed away in her sleep at home in Vero Beach on October 30. She was the beloved wife of the late John E. Donovan. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Frances is survived by daughter, Sheila F. Robinson; and sons, John K. Donovan and Robert J. Donovan; sister, Mary G. Kerrigan; brother, Gerald Connolly; grandchildren: Joan Robinson, Janice Robinson, Alexander McCarthy-Donovan, Nicholas McCarthy-Donovan, Elizabeth Uniacke, Katie Smith; two step grandsons and four great grandchildren. Frances lived a long varied life that included travel to Europe, Hawaii, and Canada. She was an avid reader and bridge player. She was born in Newfoundland, and moved to the U.S. with her family as a teenager. She spent most of her adult life in the Boston area where she raised her family, came to Florida in the 1960’s, and eventually moved to, and has enjoyed Vero Beach for the past 27 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 5011 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family will receive friends 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Monday, November 4, 2013 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach followed by a Mass at 12 Noon at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/03/13)

Edward Steven Palmer, 92, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away October 31, 2013 at Indian River Medical Center.He was born July 18, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY and had been a resident of Vero Beach since 2006, coming from Warwick, NY. Mr. Palmer served in the United States Air Corp during World War II and in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was proud to be a part of the November 2012 Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Mr. Palmer was a member of the VFW, Vero Beach. He served as the former Director of Volunteer Services at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick and most recently volunteered as a cart driver with Indian River Medical Center. He is survived by his daughters, Mary Palmer and Dorothy Sarti both of Nashville, NC; companion of 16 years, Betty Sullivan; sister, Dorothy Hill; grandchildren, Michael Palmer, Maria Sarti and Alice Sarti and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Belle Palmer and daughter, Louise Palmer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Honor Flight Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (11/03/13)

Carolyn Bragg Rayner, 64, of Vero Beach, FL went to heaven on November 1, 2013. She was born in Niagara Falls, New York and graduated from West Genesee High School in 1967. Carolyn worked for MONY and CSC in Buffalo and after retirement, moved to Vero Beach and became a volunteer for the Red Cross and Supervisor of Elections as a poll worker.She is survived by her twin sister, Marilyn (Donald) Thompson of Cato, NY; sister, Sharon Rayner of Vero Beach; niece, Kathy (Derrick) Stewart of Cato and nephew, Chris Streich of Tampa, FL. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert H. and Ruth O. Rayner. A memorial service will be held 2pm, Monday, November 4, 2013 at St. Augustine Episcopal Church, Vero Beach.Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (11/03/3)