Herald Staff Report
(From the issue of 2/12/04)

Aaron Joseph Palmer, 77, of Lewes, Del., the first lay director of Catholic Charities in Virginia, died Feb. 7.

Palmer was born July 23, 1926, in Linwood, Pa. He graduated from Pennsylvania Military College (now known as Widener University) and served in the Army during World War II. He received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. He married Dolores Brady of Linwood in 1955 and raised five children and a niece, Alexia Wilson.

Palmer’s career in social work began in Wilmington where he worked as a marriage counselor for three years before becoming director of the New London District Office of Catholic Charities in the Norwich Diocese.

He moved to Fairfax in 1970 where he was hired by then Richmond Bishop John J. Russell. For four years he served as the first lay director of Catholic Charities for the Richmond Diocese before the Diocese of Arlington was created. After the formation of the new diocese, then Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh appointed Msgr. Frank Hendrick to direct Catholic Charities and Palmer served as full-time program director. Palmer was instrumental in the creation of Christ House in Alexandria in 1973 and the St. Martin de Pores Senior Center in 1977. His research and hard work led to the formation of the Fredericksburg branch office in 1976. Palmer was appointed the agency’s deputy director in June 1981. He was honored in 1987 with the Dorothy Bird Daly Award for social services. Palmer continued to attend agency events until a few months ago.

"Aaron Palmer was a dedicated social worker with a great love for the poor," said Pat Mudd, associate director of social services with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. "From time to time, he’d tell us he met a person with no place to sleep and took them home for the night.

"Catholic Charities family sends our prayers and condolences to his wife, Dolores; his children; and grandchildren," Mudd said.

Palmer and his wife were members of St. Philip Church in Falls Church for the 21 years they resided in Northern Virginia.

Palmer retired from Catholic Charities in 1991 and moved to Lewes. At the time of his retirement, Palmer told the HERALD, "I’ve always felt I’ve had the best job in the world because you’re really doing God’s work."

"We are grateful for his service here in the diocese and are praying that the Lord will reward him for his faithful labors here," Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde said.

Palmer is survived by his wife, Dolores, and children: Gary Palmer and his wife Edith, Lisa Elder and her husband Nathan, Kathleen Miller and her husband Daniel, Mary-Beth Bustle and her husband Dennis, and Robert. He is also survived a sister, Helena Fenimore of Brookhaven, Pa., a brother Charles Palmer of Lewes, 10 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass was celebrated Feb. 10 at St. Jude Church in Lewes. A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 11 at Holy Savior Church in Linwood. Memorial contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 600 N. DuPont Hwy., Georgetown, Del. 19947.