Marlene Palmer, 1955-2017

Courtesy of Marlene Palmer – Marlene Palmer

Noted publicist Marlene Palmer died of ovarian cancer Dec. 30 in Victoria, British Columbia, Pollstar has learned. She was 62.

Her husband Phillip Hurst confirmed the news in a prepared release.

 Palmer got her start in the business in 1979 working for Bruce Allen Talent Promotions in Vancouver, and went on to work at CBC-TV, Balmur Entertainment Ltd. with Leonard Rambeau and went on to launch Palmer Publicity Ink in 1995.

Throughout her career she worked with the likes of Anne Murray, Bryan Adams, Rita MacNeil and many others.

“Marlene and I worked together for 31 years,” Murray said. “Everyone loved working with Marlene. Not only did we work well together, but she was a dear friend and I will miss her terribly.”

Bryan Adams said of her character: “She was very quiet and demure, and completely inoffensive compared to the animals she was working with. She was a calm oasis in a hurricane. This unflappable character trait never changed in the 30+ years we worked together.”

She is survived by her husband Phillip, daughter Katie, mother Lorraine and sister Sharron. A memorial service is not currently planned, and donations can be sent to her daughter in lieu of flowers.