Palma Richardson

February 11, 1938 - March 29, 2018
Traverse City, MI

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Service

Saturday, April 21, 2018
2:00 PM EDT
Friends of the Light
206 South Oak St.
Traverse City6, MI 49684
(231) 631-0396

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At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

WNMC Community Radio
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Life Story / Obituary


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Palma Reia (Tredway) Richardson of Traverse City, MI died peacefully Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Munson Hospice House. Born February 11, 1938 in Clearwater, FL to Owen R. and Alice I. (Halstead) Tredway, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Janis O. Reffruschinni, former husband Kermit W. Richardson, and longtime companion Edward R. Vespa. She is survived by her children Kenneth (Sarah), Eric (Patrizia), Kermit Will, and Karla Velikan (Randy) and four grandchildren.

Palma grew up in Munising, MI and attended MSU where she met and married Kermit. In 1960, the Richardsons and their first child moved to Southern California where the couple would have three more children. In 1970, the family relocated to rural West Virginia and lived on a 100-acre abandoned farm. A year later, Palma and her children moved to Munising. After completing her teaching certificate at NMU, the family moved to Traverse City, and Palma taught middle school math in Fife Lake. In 1977, Palma discovered piano tuning, which became her occupation for the next 40 years.

Palma’s passion and avocation was playing the piano. She accompanied singers, played keyboards with several bands, and played music (ukulele, drums, washboard, and melodica) with her partner Ed. In recent years, she picked up the concertina and played Celtic and Bluegrass music with local groups.

Palma was also a sailor, serving as a mate on the schooner Madeline. She was active in the Friends of the Light Quaker Meeting and Al-Anon Family Groups for the last 25 years. Before that, Palma volunteered at Third Level Crisis Center, Old Town Playhouse, and Oryana Food Cooperative.

Palma loved the water, the beach, and the Great Lakes. She also loved camping and the out of doors. Above all, she loved people and embraced the adventure of life wholeheartedly. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched.

A service will be held at Friends of the Light, 206 South Oak St., Traverse City, MI on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to WNMC Community Radio.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.