Mary Ellen Palmer Branan, 77, passed away on Saturday, May 20th, surrounded by her large loving family.
Mary Ellen was born October 3, 1945 in Orlando, FL, where she enjoyed growing up with her four brothers for 20 years. At 20, she met and married her lifelong love, Tom, and the two moved to Ocala, where they raised two wonderful children. During her 56 years there, Mary Ellen took pride in publishing a locally acclaimed cookbook and cooking meals and desserts for loved ones. She hosted supper clubs and supported Branan Photography & Advertising studio for many years. She was also an active member of First United Methodist Church of Ocala.
In March 2022, Mary Ellen moved back home to Orlando. The year was invaluable, doing what she loved most: spending time with family, be it weekly lunches or evening sweet treat runs. She loved sharing news of the latest family engagement, pregnancy, or graduation.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter Emily McClellan of Palm City, FL; her son, Mark Branan (Sarah) of Greenville, SC; her brothers, Paul Palmer, Jr. (Mollie), Warren Palmer (Linda), Rodney Palmer (Nancy), and her sister-in-law Jo Ann Palmer, all of Orlando; and grandchildren, Maddy McClellan, Mackenzie McClellan, Grace Branan, and David Branan. She is reunited with Tom, her parents Paul and Eleanor Palmer, her brother Ernest Palmer, loved ones, and the Lord in Heaven.
There will be a memorial service celebrating Mary Ellen’s life on Sunday, May 28th at 3:00 p.m. at Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden, FL.