Fr Derek Palmer died very peacefully and fortified with the sacraments on 31 May – the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth – after a period of prolonged ill health that he bore with great prayerful fortitude. Derek retired as the Vicar of Oldham in December 2021, having served in that ministry since 2009. Derek came to the diocese in 2000 as Chaplain at Salford University and also served as Area Dean of Salford before moving to St Andrew’s, Droylsden.
Derek will be remembered very fondly as a wise and loving pastoral priest, a gifted preacher and teacher and someone with a deep commitment to issues of justice. We extend our prayerful condolences to Derek’s family and many friends and we thank God for his long, faithful and fruitful ministry and we commend his soul to God’s safe keeping. May he rest in peace.
Funeral arrangements
Fr Derek Palmer’s body will be received at Oldham Parish Church at 7pm on Tuesday 14 June followed by a Requiem Mass at 7.30pm.
His funeral will be at 2pm on Wednesday 15 June at Oldham Parish Church and afterwards at Hollinwood Crematorium.