Margaret Palmer, formerly of David Palmer Coaches, passed away on Saturday (22 August) after a battle with cancer.
Margaret and husband David started coaching the 1970s with a minibus, eventually buying a coach when business boomed.
As a founder member of what is now the Coach Tourism Association, Margaret was a long serving board member and Vice Chairman for many years. Over the years she received many accolades for her contributions to the industry with included the CTC Award in 1998 and the COACHMonthly and CDC Special Award in 2007.
Named Lady Margaret Palmer at a ceremony at the Confrérie des Sossons d’Orvaulx in Belgium, Margaret and David attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition for her work within the coaching industry.
After retiring due to ill health in 2009, Margaret went on to work with local charities and on the social committee for Yorkshire Cancer Research. She loved life to the full and made many close friends within the industry.
Palmer Holidays in Normanton continues to be run by daughter-in-law Lisa, now part of the Grand UK Holiday Group.