Palma Teresa Decarlo was born on Palm Sunday in 1943 at home by a Midwife, was named by her mother to honor the day. She passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2025 with her husband, Eric Birtner of 38 years by her side.

Palma was born and raised in Manhattan by her parents, Ida and Teddy Decarlo; she was the youngest of 4 children, preceded in death by her sister, Jackie and brother, JuJu; her oldest sister, Virginia resides in Florida.

Palma was engaged three times, married twice. After graduating from high school, she was accepted into the NYPD academy; trained but did not serve, only to follow her heart and marry Thomas Clohessy in 1964. She was a Stepmother to his son, Tommy Clohessy who recently passed in July 2025, Palma often said he was like her real son, so close to her heart. Palma gave birth to their own son, Theodore Thomas in August of 1965. The family moved from New York to Florida in 1978. Palma worked mostly as a waitress and card dealer, occasionally hosting poker games in her own home while the players would enjoy a home cooked meal, coffee and dessert.

After her husband, Tommy passed, Palma remarried Eric Birther. Eric and Palma moved to Vero Beach in 2016 to be closer to family. Palma said she was her happiest in the kitchen cooking with a glass of wine and the radio on. Her sister-in-law, who has always been like a sister to her, Ginger said she got her love of cooking and skills from her mother, Ida. Palma enjoyed cooking for family and friends, and it gave her such joy to watch you eat every bite and ask for more. Her Christmas Eve dinners would take weeks of planning and days of preparing The Feast of the Seven Fishes, she did it with such joy and love, it was an annual culinary feast that she referred to as her holiday.

Sadly, Palma was taken quickly from us when her cancer returned. Although she wanted to “give it a good fight”, the Lord had other plans and brought her home on September 4, 2025. Palma will be deeply missed as she leaves behind her husband Eric, son Teddy, his 4 children and 10 great-grandchildren. Sadly, her youngest grandson, Nicholas passed in March of 2011, Palma referred to his passing as the day that broke her heart into a million pieces, finally her heart will be whole as they are reunited together again.

In lieu of flowers, family ask that donations be sent to St Jude Children’s Hospital or ASPCA (American Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals), as these were Palma’s two favorite charities that she supported.