Jean Hamilton Smith Palmer, age 96, passed away peacefully at her home home on the family farm in Chaptico, MD on April 16, 2012. Born March 16, 1916 in Fort Williams, ME, she was the daughter of the late General Rodney Hamilton Smith, U.S. Army and Helen Florence Rogers Smith.

Mrs. Palmer married Lt. Shelby Young Palmer, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps on August 31, 1939 in Weld, ME. Her husband died in an air accident on January 29, 1941 near Puerto Rico where they were stationed at the time.

Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Palmer traveled with her family as her father was stationed both in the United States and in several foreign countries consulting to improve their coastal defenses. She often told her family stories about living in Hawaii and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Corregidor Island, Philippines, and back home when her father was posted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY to teach Portuguese and coach football.

Mrs. Palmer's favorite employment was as private secretary to the Head of School at Kent Place School, Summit, NJ. She worked for the school for 26 years prior to her retirement in 1978. She then moved to St. Mary's County to be near her daughter and grandchildren. She worked for her son-in-law, Dr. Guazzo, as his private secretary for many years. She enjoyed living on the family farm, playing bridge with friends and supporting the Major Wm. Thomas Chapter of the D.A.R.

Mrs. Palmer is survived by her daughter, Shelby Palmer Guazzo and her husband, Dr. Eugene Guazzo of Chaptico, MD, her grandchildren, Eugene Tai Guazzo (Cheri) of Los Angeles, CA, John Palmer Guazzo (Caroline) of Falls Church, VA, Dante Edward Guazzo, II (Emine) of San Francisco, CA, and Shelby Smith Guazzo-Mattis (David) of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by three great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Palmer was preceded in death by her sister, Helen Corinne Smith, her grandparents, General George Rodney Smith, U.S. Army and Corinne Barrett Smith and General Harry Lovejoy Rogers, U.S. Army and Harriet Maria Pray Rogers.

Family will receive friends on Monday, April 23, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Palmer's funeral will be scheduled at a later date at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY where she will be buried next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Mary's County Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 1232, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and A.C.T.S. (A Community That Shares), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.