Beverly Mahan Palmer

Beverly Mahan Palmer, 71, of Seaford, Delaware, passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer on April 11, 2025. She was born on November 22, 1953, to Ralph and Mary Mahan and grew up in Seaford with her three siblings.

A proud member of the Seaford High School Class of 1971, Bev’s high school years were filled with music. A talented flutist, she performed with the SHS marching and concert band and earned a spot in the County Band.

Bev went on to earn her degree from the University of Delaware and later received her Master of Education from Wilmington College. She devoted 30 years to teaching students in grades 1 through 4, primarily at West Seaford Elementary, where she had once been a student herself.

Bev was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church and often shared her musical talents by playing flute with the choir and participating in the bell choir. She enjoyed an active lifestyle as an accomplished runner, cyclist, and swimmer. One of her proudest achievements was breaking multiple state records in swimming at the Delaware Senior Olympics.

Bev had a deep love for the beach, 60s & 70s music, traveling, and her beloved cat, Gracie. She especially enjoyed attending UD football games to watch the marching band, seeing The Funsters live, cheering on the Ravens, and going to Orioles games. But more than anything, she treasured the time she spent with her family, especially her three grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Ralph Palmer; her daughter, Jackie Palmer (Brian McEntee); her son, Adam Palmer (Hannah); her mother, Mary Mahan; grandchildren, Caleb, Jacob, and Willa; her sisters, Brenda Johnson and Jennifer Temple (Doug); and her brother, Jim Mahan (Peggy). She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Mahan, and her brother-in-law, Leslie Johnson.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 26, followed by a funeral at 12:00 p.m. at St. John's UMC in Seaford. Burial and reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made in Bev’s memory to St. John’s UMC, 300 N Pine St, Seaford, DE, 19973.

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