Beloved mother, devoted nurse, social worker and friend

Veronica Jeanne Kelly, 84, of Sarasota, FL, died on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown, MD. Veronica was born in Manhattan, NY, in 1941 to William and Veronica Holmes. She grew up in Manhattan and attended the Gerard School, the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary and then the St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York. She moved to Washington, DC, to attend nursing school at Catholic University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Veronica was introduced by college friends to James R. Palmer in Washington, DC, while attending Catholic University. They were married on September 23, 1967, in Washington, DC, and settled in Alexandria, VA where they raised their four daughters.

Veronica's career was defined by her passion for the well-being of others. During her nursing career in the 1960s Veronica worked as a public health nurse at the Washington DC, Pediatric Community Health Program in a partnership with Children's Hospital. In her later nursing career, she worked at Georgetown University Hospital Geriatric unit, and a family medicine private practice in Northern VA.

In 1999 Veronica graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Master of Social Work. Pursuing a second career in adult mental health, she served as a clinical therapist at Prince William County, VA and Arlington County, VA providing services to clients with serious mental illness.

Veronica had a special interest in advocacy for vulnerable and home-bound seniors in the community. Veronica worked as a Geriatric Clinical Case Manager for a visiting nurse's home care agency in Northern VA. Veronica eventually retired in 2011.

Veronica's greatest joy was becoming a mother, loving and nurturing her four girls. She was a dedicated mother with strong admiration, and immense pride in her children.

In 2014, Veronica relocated to Sarasota, FL to fulfill her remaining retirement years near the ocean in a retirement community.

In her spare time, she enjoyed knitting scarves and blankets and had a natural talent for sewing making clothes and sewing ballet costumes for her daughters. Veronica was an avid reader of novels; she loved bookstores and visiting the local library.

Spending time with her grandchildren brought Veronica pride and enjoyment. Veronica cherished quality time with her children and grandchildren and celebrating the holidays with them. Veronica found solace at the ocean and savored reading novels at Siesta Key Beach and watching the gulf coast sunset at Bay Front Park. Veronica was a beloved fixture of her neighborhood in Sarasota and Alexandria bringing light and conversation.

Veronica was an advocate for human rights domestically and globally. She served as a volunteer for the People United to Save (PUSH), a civil rights and economic empowerment organization. She demonstrated activism by volunteering for her time and resources throughout her life. 

Veronica is survived by her daughters Donna Anderson (Melvin), Naomi Pizarro Mays (David), Susanna Palmer, and Maureen Murray; her grandchildren Issa Smith, Brandon Pizarro, Hailey and Cadence Murray; her great grandchildren Lilliana Winterbottom and Serena Pizarro; her sister Mary Ellen Schick (Klaus); nephews Summy Schick, Godmund Schick, and niece Chiara Sakuwa.

Veronica was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother “Nana” Kelly; her parents, William R. and Veronica Holmes; grandson Corporal Jonathan Winterbottom; and son-in-law Daniel Murray. Veronica also leaves behind great nieces and nephews, a host of extended family members, devoted lifelong friends, and cherished SGI community members and friends.

Veronica's warmth and devotion to helping others is an inspiration to be carried forward by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her remarkable life and motherhood that was infused with empathy, resilience and kindness is a true testament to her beautiful spirit. Veronica will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in her honor on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:30am-12pm at the SGI-USA Northern Virginia Buddhist Center located at 14428 Albemarle Point Pl #150, Chantilly, VA 20151.

The family welcomes both charitable donations to World Central Kitchen, or Doctors Without Borders USA in her honor and/or flowers and expression of condolences may be sent directly to them.