Heidi Palmes, of Colchester, passed away at Backus Hospital in Norwich on January 16, 2026, due to an extended illness that began several years ago with early onset of Alzheimers Disease. She was 60 years old. Heidi was raised in Colchester by her grandparents, Lydia and Michael Kmick. She married the love of her life, Duane Palmes on December 24, 1997. The couple remained in Colchester where they were partners at the Colchester Pizza Restaurant for several decades. Heidi was also a waitress and server at different restaurants throughout her career. Her most recent job was working with the elderly through Companions and Homemakers In Home Services until 2019 when the disease of dementia affected her. Heidi loved the Spring and Summer months when she could vacation at York Beach in ME, or go blue crabbing, or gardening in her own backyard. She was a 17-year member of the Colchester Volunteer Fire Company, volunteering as an MRT and Fire Police. She once received the Life Saving Award. Heidi enjoyed celebrating the holidays, but she particularly loved decorating and passing out candy to the hundreds of trick or treaters that passed through their neighborhood each year. Heidi was a true and loyal friend to all who knew her. She will be dearly missed but always remembered with love by her husband, Duane Palmes of 25 years; Stepson, Brian Palmes of San Jose, CA; nieces, Vanessa Mullighan and Angela Kleinschmidt; stepbrother, Adam Hebb of Tampa, FL; brother in law, Gary Palmes and Mary Strong; aunt Gerri Dawson; Many extended family members and friends; and her fire company friends in Colchester. Duane would like to thank all personal at Greentree Manor and especially the staff at Backus Hospital and Hospice for the wonderful care that Heidi received. Special gratitude is also extended to Heidis neighbors and friends who helped care for and keep her home for as long as possible. A memorial service will be held at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd, Colchester on May 17th beginning at 12 noon with a calling hour, followed by a celebration of life memorial service at 1:30 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Heidis memory may be made to the Colchester Volunteer Fire Company, 52 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester 06415 or Protectors of Animals www.poainc.org or Alzheimers Association www.alz.org

Events
Visitation

Sunday, May 17, 2026
12:00PM
Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home, Inc.
167 Old Hartford Rd.
Colchester, CT 06415
Email: auroramccarthy@hotmail.com
Phone: (860) 537-9611
Celebration of Life

Sunday, May 17, 2026
1:30PM
Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home, Inc.
167 Old Hartford Rd.
Colchester, CT 06415
Email: auroramccarthy@hotmail.com
Phone: (860) 537-9611