Judith S. Perry

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University of Kansas

Judith Perry Obituary

Judith S. Perry was born in Downs, Kansas on February 11, 1933 and went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 4, 2011. She was a devout woman who gave her best to all of the numerous activities in which she was involved throughout her life. Her parents, James and Mabel Smith, preceded her in death as well as her sister and brother. As Salutatorian of her High School class she won an academic scholarship to the University of Kansas soon to be augmented by a Pan Hellenic scholarship and was a shoo-in for PHI BETA KAPPA. She fell in love with a young man majoring in geology who also had a scholarship, soon to be augmented by one of four baseball scholarships given by the University of Kansas. John and Judith met in the school library where both were studying and a coffee date led to 57½ years of blissful marriage, broken up by two years of separation when John served his county in Viet Nam as Forward Air Controller. Judith loved her church, The Holy Way Presbyterian, and was very close to her minister and she had a particular interest in the music program in which she was a superior singer and pianist. In her early days she performed for numerous weddings and funerals throughout northern Kansas. She fought a long and hard battle against numerous health problems. She wasn't ready to depart until she felt all her children were on fairly firm footing. Judith will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved her, especially her husband and children. She will, no doubt, be missed widely in the world. She will surely brighten the kingdom around God's great throne. Survivors include her husband, John L. Perry of Tucson, AZ; son, John M. Perry (Angie) of Valley Grande, AL; daughters, Joy P. Carchedi (John) of Georgetown, TX and Jeanine P. White of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Kathryn Winter (Doug) of Sacramento, CA, Karolyn J. Mayo of Sacramento, CA, Turner C. Mayo of Austin, TX, Elizabeth J. Perry of Valley Grande, AL, Brittany P. Pacheco (Alfredo) of Buckeye, AZ, Kaylee C. Bearden of Phoenix, AZ, Johnathon P. White of Phoenix, AZ and Ashley W. Bakemeier (Ryan) of Whitehall, NY. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren. Memorial Service will be Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at The Holy Way Presbyterian Church, 4040 S. Bilbray Ave., Tucson, AZ 85746. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Holy Way Presbyterian Church Music Ministry or Building Fund, The American Heart Association or any charity of your choice. Arrangements by BRING'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 236 S. Scott.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 16, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Judith Perry

1 Entry

Kathryn Mayo Winter

March 16, 2011

I miss my Grandma so much, it hurts...I can't be in Tucson for the memorial and it's breaking my heart. I remember so many wonderful things about her and I strive to live my life each day in some way like my Grandma did.

When I was little, we went to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house for vacation—it was paradise for a kid…popsicles on an endless supply—always on the bottom shelf of the freezer for easy access, cookies in the cookie jar, and always something fun to do. When we were old enough, we went and stayed for a week all by ourselves—my sister, my brother and myself. Looking back on that, it’s a wonder Grandma and Grandpa had any time for themselves!

I remember swimming all day, helping Grandpa in the garden with his roses—Grandma and Grandpa always put a small bouquet of roses in my room when I’d come visit. I remember helping Grandma with the laundry—I loved to help her hang the wet clothes to dry on the line. Grandma always took me to the Children’s museum where I developed a love for miniatures, as most years there would be a grand dollhouse exhibit at the museum. Grandma would also take me to see a
movie each visit and I always think of her when I watch Back to the Future or ET—two iconic movies she took me to see.

Most of all, I remember cooking with Grandma. I loved to make cookies and cakes with her and to help her with preparing lunch and supper and snacks for Grandpa. Recently, upon visiting the day after Grandma had passed away, I found myself reaching into the cookie jar
on her counter and unsurprisingly, there were peanut butter cookies in the jar. I couldn’t help but smile to myself and hear Grandma say over my shoulder, “help your self to the cookies, Kathryn.” I just couldn’t take one that time.

Now that I’m older, I have a rose garden, I hang my wet laundry on the line, I make the same cookies that Grandma made—my favorites are her sugar cookies. I learned these things from my Grandma and Grandpa. A couple of summers ago, Grandma and Grandpa
came to visit and I was so excited. My husband and I took great care to prepare our home for the visit—we were so proud to be the ones hosting Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa helped me in the rose garden and Grandma helped make yummy food for us.

Grandpa and I harvested quite a crop of peaches from our peach tree. It was the best yield we have ever had! Grandma, upon seeing the huge bag of peaches we had just picked, suggested that we make a peach cobbler. Well, I was a little embarrassed because I knew I didn’t have all the supplies needed. We couldn’t make the crust because I didn’t have any shortening. Grandma quickly left the room and was gone for about three minutes…when she came back, she had a small
tub of shortening in her hand. She had brought it with her on the trip! Only my Grandma would have brought shortening with her on a road trip! We quickly finished the cobbler and enjoyed a piece
each night with a cup of strong coffee accompanied by wonderful conversation. After Grandma and Grandpa left, I never was able to throw out the little tub of shortening she had left with us. I still
have it—it’s really a small butter tub she repurposed for the trip.

My Grandma will always be with me—when I cook a good meal, when I take good care of my husband, when I take care in hanging the clothes on the line “just so,” when I place a small bouquet of roses in
each room for my visitors. I learned all these things from her. I’ll remember my grandmother as a beautiful lady, who knew just the right thing to say, who gave the best hugs and always knew how to make me feel like the most special person on the planet.

I miss her so very much as I’m sure you all do.