Edna Palmer—Former Cafeteria Manager and Celebrated Community Volunteer—Dies at 98

Longtime Encinitas resident Edna Palmer has died at the age of 98. Many remember her as San Dieguito High School’s cafeteria manager in the 1960s and early 1970s, especially for her famous sticky rolls at morning break.

In her later years, she suffered from essential tremors in her hands which inspired her to invent the Trembler’s Table, U.S. Patent #6427607 “Arm and plate support self-feeding device,” a small folding tray which allows the user to eat just inches from the plate.

Edna had been honored for her community service, including volunteer work as a cook and kitchen helper in the early years of the Encinitas Senior Center’s lunch program. She is remembered by many for her hard work, her friendly disposition, and her on-target observations. Edna’s friends looked forward to her handcrafted decorations and table centerpieces at senior lunches during the holidays and on other special occasions.

Edna Anderson Palmer was a descendant of pioneers who traveled by ox-cart to settle in Nebraska in the 1870s. She survived the devastating Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1920, the Great Depression of the 1930s, WW II with a husband away in the Navy, and the Encinitas civic struggles of the late 20^th Century where she campaigned actively for incorporation and met many of the city’s future leaders.

As the daughter of a large Nebraska family, Edna was encouraged to leave home early. The Depression found her in Modesto, California, earning 33 1/3 cents an hour as a grocery clerk. “Times were tough, and it was sad to see so many children without enough to eat. But if you were a halfway-smart, able-bodied adult, you could find work if you really wanted it.” She learned cosmetology and became an expert in the legendary hairstyles of the 1930s and 40s.

Edna married Loren Palmer in 1941 and they were together for over 70 years. In 1947, they built a multi-level, ocean view home for $8,600 in the sparsely settled south end of Cardiff. In 1953, they moved to a small acreage in unincorporated Encinitas where they lived at the same address for almost 60 years. Their grandchildren considered this their second home.

Loren and Edna both retired in 1975 and took several cruises, trips, and tours. They enjoyed golfing at Miramar and at the Solana Beach Executive Course where they played for more than 25 years.

In addition to Loren, age 100, Edna is survived by their children Larry and Luanne; grandchildren Darcy Crane, Chad Grimm, Lance Palmer, and Nathaniel Palmer; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister Betty Johnson. Services are private and donations are discouraged. Edna believed that “people should save their money for their old age—it could be long one.”