Dionne Eileen Walker's Obituary
Dionne Eileen Walker was born November 9, 1959 to Cynthia and Donald Palmer Sr. The fifth-born to this union. She was the “Matriarch” of the Palmer children, honor and responsibility that she wore well.
Dionne was born in Bethesda, Maryland. She traveled over the years. She loved going on cruises and seeing other parts of the world, but her most favorite past time was spending time with her family. She loved her family, planning birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas fellowships.
She graduated from Potomac Sr. High School in Oxon Hill Maryland in 1978. She was a member of the Pom-Pom Team. Upon graduation, Dionne worked for the Federal Government. She worked for the Department of Labor for 28 years, but due to her illness she was forced to come out on disability 2010.
Dionne brilliantly displayed her humanity in her interactions. She listened intently and gave her undivided attention to the person she was engaged with at the time. She made you feel that you were the only person in the world who mattered at that moment.
She was loved by children, revered by friends and respected as well and admired by men and women alike, Dionne was a woman of integrity. She was one with a strong mind and a tender heart. Known for her patience, kindness and compassion. She loved to fish and especially loved “Fall”. She loved looking at the beautiful trees and seeing God’s hand at work.
Dionne was an exemplary family woman. Nothing delighted her more than to spend time with her husband Gerald of 20 years. Anyone who saw them knew how much they loved each other. They loved each other so much that when Dionne was admitted into John Hopkins Hospital, Gerald became sick too and was admitted. Upon being discharged from the hospital Gerald illness forced him to retire. Gerald took good care of Dionne during her illness. He made sure that all of her needs were met. He cooked, cleaned and fed Dionne until she succumbed to her illness. Gerald took heed to what the word of God says that a man should love His wife as Christ loves the church.
Dionne leaves to cherish two children and one step-daughter. Janelle the oldest of the three had a beautiful relationship with her mother. There was nothing Janelle couldn’t talk to her mother about. Due to Janelle’s background in nursing, she ensured Dionne received the BEST OF MEDICAL CARE. She made sure that all of Dionne’s medications and doctor appointments were taken and met. She was the best daughter any mother could ask for. Janelle could do no wrong in her mother’s eyes. She was her friend and her baby girl.
Gerald Foster III better known as Tre is Dionne’s youngest child. Tre made his mother so proud. As a little boy, Tre was a latch key kid. He had the awesome responsibility to come home from school to let himself into the house while his parents went to work. Dionne loved her little boy so much that when he went to go to college Dionne didn’t want to let him go. Tre proved to his mother that he was trust worthy and responsible. He went to college and received honors as Magna Cum Laude. Dionne was so proud of Tre even when she couldn’t talk too much she would call him baby boy. Upon Tre graduating from college, he elected not to go back to school for his Master’s Degree, but elected to work and stay home close to his parents to attend to their well being.
Dionne had a wonderful and loving step-daughter Dayvie. Dayvie loved Dionne and made sure that Dionne’s hair was well cared for. Often you would see Dionne sporting a new corn-rolled hairstyle that Dayvie would give her. Dionne often would tell us “See look what she did”. Dayvie you don’t know how much that blessed Dionne. She loved her new do’s and styles you gave her.
She enjoyed intimate and authentic time with her father and mother and each of her brothers and sisters. She spent individual time with each of them. She loved talking to her oldest brother Donnie as he would always give her sound advice. She had a special bond with her brother Malcolm for which she loved talking to even in the wee hours of the mornings laughing and sharing stories. She also shared special times with her brother Kevin better known as “Rock” and the time they shared going to clubs. She was always concerned about him and made sure that he and his family was taken care. She loved talking to her sister Karen as they would reminisce down memory lane. Her bond between her and her youngest sister Danielle was very special. They were inseparable they were only 15 months apart in age. They did everything together and were very close. Their most fond times were spent on Saturdays. Dionne would call it “Go to Hell Saturday” She and Danielle would drive every Saturday to the beach even during the cold months and would walk on the dock and talk, cry and laugh about LIFE. Her favorite saying to her sister was “It’s Me and You” and “I GOT YOU”.
Dionne had many nieces and nephews for which she shared many memories and instilled life values for them to follow. Stacy Palmer-Barton, Marcus Palmer, Keonte Palmer, Andre Palmer, Kevin “Junie” Palmer, Carlos and Jamal Palmer just to name a few. Dionne was loved and known as one of the favorite Aunts, and would give her last.
She leaves to cherish; her husband Gerald Foster Jr, one daughter Janelle Walker, one son Gerald Foster III, one step-daughter Dayvie Paschall, parents Donald and Cynthia Palmer, brothers, Donald, Malcolm and Kevin Palmer, sisters Karen and Danielle Palmer, and sister in-laws Peggy and Laurie Palmer. Gerald’s brother Charles Fantroy, sisters Debra Hubb, Michelle Nesbitt, and Tanya Nesbitt-Howard and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
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