ELIZABETH PERKINS DRAPER

DRAPER, Elizabeth Perkins "Cheeky" 90, died unexpectedly of heart failure at Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME on Thursday, August 11th. Daughter of Dr. Franklin H. Perkins and Mrs. Grace Wyman Perkins, Cheeky was raised in Lancaster, MA where her father started the school bearing his name. She was educated at Concord Academy in Concord, MA, and trained at Boston Children's Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to study organ at Longy School of Music. Cheeky was predeceased by three of her four children, Elizabeth Draper Graycar, Copeland M. Draper III, and Edward Haskins Draper. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, C. Mitchell Draper of Walpole, MA, and her daughter, Ellen Draper Pendergast of Weston, MA. She was proud to call herself "Grand Cheeky" to her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Mitch and Cheeky raised their children in Milton, MA where they lived after their marriage in 1947. In Milton she was an active member of the Milton-Hoosic Club, where she was director of the chorus. She also directed the children's choir at the Unitarian Church and formulated the church's special Christmas Eve service. In later years she was active in Saint Michael's Episcopal Church where she served on the altar guild and the vestry. Starting in 1957 her summers were spent on Squirrel Island, ME where the family gathered at "Our House" and she could enjoy her extended family. It was there that she was most happy. Cheeky served on the Squirrel Island Board of Overseers, was a director of the Squirrel Island Association, and was on the board of the Squirrel Island Preservation Foundation. Of all her accomplishments she was most fulfilled by her service to the Squirrel Island Chapel where she started the "All Island service" in 1990, oversaw the 2004 renovations, held hymn sings, organized and directed the choir, acted as an organist, and was president for many years. Cheeky will also be remembered for her hours of volunteer service as a home health aide in MA and ME and to Meals on Wheels. There will be a memorial service at the Squirrel Island Chapel on Sunday, August 21st at 1:15 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. To view Cheeky's memorial page or to share an online condolence please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Squirrel Island Chapel, Squirrel Island, ME 04570.