of Grass Lake, Michigan, age 83, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at her home in Grass Lake. She was born March 24, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Edward and Edith Jane (Forbes) O'Malley. JoAnn worked as an Assembler for General Motors before retiring after 30 years. She and Syd moved to Arizona for 3½ years before coming back to Michigan. They would return to Arizona for the winters until 2019. She was a member of the Napoleon United Methodist Church. Jo Ann enjoyed bowling and quilting with her sister.
On October 17, 1992, she married Sydney “Syd” Palmer and he survives. JoAnn is survived by a son, William Westenbarger of Garden City; a daughter, Martha (JB) Bellew of Mandeville, Louisiana; five grandchildren: Joshua, Lisa, Sharon, Christine, and Jonathan; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael O'Malley; and sister, Molly Harder. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sharon Schwab and Kay Beasley.
The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Thursday, Oct 16 from 2-8 pm. Burial will be at Roseland Memorial Gardens in Jackson on Friday, Oct 17 at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Napoleon United Methodist Church, 210 Nottawasepee, Napoleon, MI 49261.
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