Winifred Bradley Woods Perry

1919 - 2010

Winifred Bradley Woods Perry died at home peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on December 6, 2010. Win was born on June 10, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama to John and Orleana Woods. "Sugar" was the youngest sister of Mary, John and James. The Woods family moved in 1926 to Kansas City, Mo which became their longtime home. Win became a wonderful life-long, classical pianist. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1941 and in 1945 moved to Seattle, Wash. There she fell in love with Lt. Donald Edward Perry, USN, of Manchester, NH. She was married to her beloved Don in 1947. They were married almost 60 years when he died in 2007. The cornerstones of Win's life were her family and her faith. She was a devoted Episcopalian, and belonged to congregations in Mo, Mass, Conn, NY, Vt, and Calif. She served vestries, The Episcopal Churchwomen, and altar guilds. She also served many charitable and cultural institutions including The Syracuse Symphony , The Everson Museum, The Johanna Hodges Piano Recital Competitions and Palm Springs Pathfinders. Win was a joyful woman who loved song and worship. She was tremendously grateful to be a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She played many parts beautifully --nurturer, corporate wife, hostess, and homemaker in many locations. A lover of music and literature, a world-wide traveler, a needle artist, an optimistic role model and treasured friend, her sense of fun will be remembered. She was proud to be an American. In her later years she wrote down much of "her story" and preserved precious memories for her family. She often said of her life, "my cup runneth over." Win (Gammy) is survived by her children; Carolyn Dukenski (Ron) of Goshen, Conn, Don Perry (Linda) of Palm Springs, and Melissa Adams also of Palm Springs, and her adored grandchildren; Jay (Katya), Dana, Liz (James), Steve, Abby and Jen (Kevin). A memorial service celebrating and giving thanks for Win's life will be held at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert on January 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a private burial in Kansas City, Mo. Please, no flowers. Contributions in her memory can be made to Palm Springs Pathfinders, P.O. Box 5005, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.