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POSVAR PALMER (FISHWICK) Palmer Fishwick Posvar of Fox Chapel, age 67, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 2, 2019 at The Willows of Presbyterian Senior Care, Oakmont, PA. Palmer bravely faced Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD) for 12 years, during which journey she maintained her self-respect, dignity, and humble appreciation for those helping her. Palmer was born November 21, 1951 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was the second child of John Palmer and Blair Wiley Fishwick. She graduated from St. Anne's- Bel?eld School in Charlottesville, VA in 1970 and Hollins College (now Hollins University) with a BA in Psychology in 1974. Palmer is survived by her husband, Wesley William Posvar; sons, Wesley Fishwick Posvar of Brooklyn, NY and Winston Blair Posvar (Jackie) of Southern Pines, NC; grandsons, Ethan and Jacob Posvar; mother-in-law, Mildred M. Posvar of Pittsburgh; sister, Ellen Blair Martin of Washington, DC; brother, John P. Fishwick, Jr., of Roanoke, VA; stepmother, Doreen Fishwick of Roanoke, VA; plus extended family in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Hawaii, and Italy. Palmer devoted her life to others: She prided herself in being a full-time Mother, always being there for the boys. She was a committed volunteer to a series of organizations: Upon arrival in Pittsburgh via marriage in 1978, Palmer joined the Junior League of Pittsburgh, an organization that supported the Boys and Girls Clubs. Later she volunteered with Forbes Hospice, working directly with patients. Palmer then became interested in saving lives: After taking a course with the Center for Emergency Medicine, she became a state- certi?ed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In the First Responder role of EMT, she then served on a volunteer basis with Foxwall Emergency Service for 8 years, her service cut short by the diagnosis of FTD. Palmer loved ?owers and people. She was a member of the Fox Chapel Garden Club, and she enjoyed working with the Green Thumb Group of Calvary Church in making holiday decorations for sale at the annual Holiday Bazaar. Through the Junior League and other social contacts, she introduced and welcomed scores of newcomers to Pittsburgh, her adopted home. Palmer made friends wherever she went: A high point in her family life was a six-year residency in Berlin, Germany, where, with German learned as a third language, she readily befriended both fellow expatriates and local residents, and participated in many bi-cultural activities. Friend-making extended even to her favorite shopping destinations Costco and Talbotswhose staffs still ask about her, years after her last visit. Palmer was also a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America-Allegheny County Committee, Pittsburgh Golf Club, and Rolling Rock Club. Friends and family will be received on Friday, January 4, 2019 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street. Funeral service will be celebrated Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Calvary Church in Shadyside at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donating to the Association for Fronto-Temporal Degeneration (Radnor, PA), Foxwall EMS (Fox Chapel, PA), University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), or Presbyterian SeniorCare Foundation SeniorCARE FUND (Oakmont, PA). Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
