Sylvia Grace Wicks Palmer

92, Bainbridge Island WA, passed away in the early morning hours of February 8, 2018, following a brief hospitalization after suffering a stroke.Sylvia was born in Seattle on September 24, 1925 to Charles E. and Lillian Pearl Wicks. Sylvia joined her two brothers, Joseph and Rogers and her sister Marie, in their North Capitol Hill home on East Howe Street, Seattle. She attended Isaac I Stevens Elementary and then Broadway High. Many of her high school classmates became lifelong friends that she enjoyed seeing at regular class reunions and other social functions.The Wicks family were faithful members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Seattle. From her earliest childhood Sylvia loved Sunday school and especially the sacred music played and sung in the Thompson Memorial Chapel. She learned to play the piano which allowed her to enjoy playing sacred music for the rest of her life.Attending a dancing school on Capitol Hill she met a young merchant marine, Rodney Benjamin Palmer, who would soon become her husband. They were married at St. Mark's Cathedral in 1945.Sylvia earned a BA degree in sociology/education from the University of Washington. Rodney's work with an international construction company took the family to various locations. While in Arizona, Sylvia earned an MA degree from Northern Arizona University. She then taught in elementary schools in Arizona, Utah, Portugal and North Dakota. Returning home to Bainbridge Island, she taught in Poulsbo, WA until her retirement. Many of her pupils became her "children" who remained in contact with her until her death.Rodney became a member of The Masonic Lodge and Sylvia became a very active, passionate member of the Order of Eastern Star, eventually serving as Worth Grand Matron for Washington State. She also served for several years as Mother Advisor to the young girls of the International Order of Rainbow. She passionately adopted the Rainbow Creed, "Be of some service everyday" as her own and worked to emulate it throughout her life experiences.A "Celebration of Life" in Sylvia's honor will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center, 1500 13th St., Bremerton, WA 8337. Sylvia requested no flowers be given for the service, but memorial gifts made to the Kitsap County Humane Society, Poulsbo, WA or to the North Kitsap Fishline, Poulsbo, WA in her name.Survivors include two daughters, Stephana Palmer and Patricia Palmer Ellis (Joe), three grandchildren. Kristine Heller Brockmann (Andreas), Birmingham, AL, Andrew Nichols (Cherie), and Scott Heller (Lourna); six great grandchildren, Alex Brockmann, Kevin Brockmann, Cohen Heller, Gaius Nichols, Bishop Nichols and Knox Heller.Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the memorial service on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 3:00 pm at the Bremerton performing arts Center in Bremerton Washington. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home. Please sign the online guest book for the family.