Jocelyn Chilton

June 30, 1921 - December 10, 2012

Jocelyn Chilton

June 30, 1921 ~ December 10, 2012

CARMEL HIGHLANDS - A longtime resident of the Carmel Highlands, Jocelyn passed away peacefully at the age of 91. Born in the Cotswolds village of Cirencester, England, she came to the United States at the age of three with her mother and four siblings on the steamship Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic.

Growing up Jocelyn was surrounded by music. Her mother, Elizabeth Chilton (violin) and her father, Spencer Chilton (cello) were members of the Monterey Symphony for many years. Jocelyn is preceded in death by her three brothers, Jack, Roy and Ken and her sister, Winifred Lausten, who were all very musical as well. In 1945, Jocelyn married Mitchell Arthur Perry; they had two sons and were divorced in 1964.

In the 1950s, people really took notice of Jocelyn's beautiful and powerful coloratura soprano voice. After several appearances with orchestras across the United States, including performing selections from La Traviata with the Monterey Symphony in 1957, Jocelyn moved with her sons to the Carmel Highlands in 1964. She served as the soloist at the Carmel First Church of Christ, Scientist for many years and enjoyed many years of singing accompanied by her good friend, pianist and composer, B.J. Smith. Jocelyn became a real estate agent and so loved this career that she served the Monterey Peninsula in that capacity for three decades until she was well into her 80s.

She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Perry and Clifford Pereira; her daughter-in-law, Chere Pereira; her grandson, Birch Pereira, a jazz musician in Seattle; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorial donations may be sent to Youth Music Monterey County or your favorite charity.

A memorial service is being planned and if you would like to attend or send remembrances, please contact us at: peartree99@gmail.com.

Her love of music, nature, pets and laughter continue on in her grateful descendents.