Jessie Hume Palik

Josephine Jessie Hume Palik, 90, life-long Tulsan, died peacefully at home early on July 4, 2016 in Mountlake Terrace, WA, where she was residing with her daughter and son-in-law. She lived her life with as much grace and tenacity as any human being could have done, finding solace and strength through her faith and laughter, her best medicine.

Jessie was born at home on February 21, 1926 in Tulsa, OK. The youngest of three children, she attended Conway Broun Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Central High (class of 1943). Jessie graduated from University of Tulsa (class of 1947) as a Chemistry major and member of Tri-Delta sorority. She worked 10 years at Carter Oil (later Jersey Oil) as a petroleum chemist. Jessie met Emil E. Palik, M.D., a handsome widower, 16 years her senior, with 3 young sons. They wedded in 1957, and thereafter she devoted herself to her primary roles of helpmeet and parent.

Jessie was predeceased by her Scottish father William Dingwall Hume; golf course architect stepfather Perry Duke Maxwell; grandparents; several aunts and uncles; mother Josephine Madlin Hume Maxwell of German-Swiss heritage; sister Laura Mary; brother David Lindsay; brother-in-law Milton Oliver Denekas; stepsister Dora Maxwell Harrison; beloved husband of nearly 50 years Emil Emery Palik, M.D., and daughter-in-law Shirley Frances Burns.

Jessie is survived by her three sons through Emil’s marriage to his first wife Frances Eloise Nelsen: Robert Emil, James Nelsen (Marilyn Kapner), and John William; by her three children with Emil: Laura Emily (Lindsey Killian), Donald Lindsay (Janis Griggs), and David Andrew (Laura Grau); by her four grandchildren: Amanda Kaye, James Emery (Emily Beauchamp), Sarah Elizabeth, and Christopher Charles; and by her one great grandchild Penelope Marie. She is remembered by her sister-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Wilds Hume, several Hume, Denekas, and Palik nieces and nephews, their spouses and families. She is also lovingly remembered by countless friends and adoptive family members of all races, religions, ethnicities, cultures, and walks of life who also lovingly called her variously Mom, Mama, Mommy Palik, Aunt Jess, Jessie, and Grandma.

Jessie was an enthusiastic golfer and tennis player in younger years, playing golf with her husband until his death 10 years ago. She traveled extensively in her earlier years and enjoyed reading on many subjects, particularly on her Christian faith. Well-educated and culturally refined (enjoying symphony, opera, ballet), Jessie nonetheless maintained a simple approach to life, loving her role as wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother above her earlier career as chemist. She had an unwitting ability to turn a phrase in a way that often had those closest to her chuckling, most of all herself.

Of Scottish Presbyterian heritage, as a child, Jessie attended Tulsa’s First Presbyterian, then Trinity Episcopal (also marrying there) and St. John's Episcopal. Some 40 years ago, Christ Presbyterian became her beloved church family. Jessie loved God wholeheartedly and desired to share that love with everyone she met. Her hope was steadfast in a God who redeems the world’s brokenness.

Memorial service will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church (2706 E. 51st St) in Tulsa, OK on July 25 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jim Tracy officiating. Jessie will be interred privately at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Christ Presbyterian Church Deacons (Benevolence) Fund or other worthy charitable organizations of one’s own choosing. Condolences may additionally be offered online at Ninde Brookside Chapel, ninde.com.