Helen R. Palmer

Helen R. Palmer, 63, of Charlestown, died Tuesday. A native of Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late William and Reva (Tucker) Palmer. Helen worked at the Rhode Island State Crime Lab, which is part of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island, for nearly all of her 40 years with the state. During her tenure at the crime lab she made many connections in the law enforcement community throughout the state for her willingness to do whatever she could, and earned the nickname “Rocco” for her tenacious and thorough work ethic. She will be remembered as a great lover of animals, especially cats. There are no immediate family survivors, but she does leave a dear friend, Patricia Latsko and family in Columbus, Ohio, as well as her family at the crime lab and many in the law enforcement community. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial will take place at a later date in North Stonington, CT. Visiting hours are Sunday 2-4 PM. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Charlestown Animal Shelter, c/o Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI 02813.