Mary Williams Perrone

Mary LaVerne Williams Perrone, age 78, of Austin, Texas, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2016. A resident of Austin for 64 years, Mary was born in McAllen, Texas on October 28, 1937. She was raised on the Stugard Ranch in San Juan, Texas, a family owned citrus farm located in the Rio Grande Valley. In 1952 her family moved to Austin where she attended Austin High School for one year, transferred to Travis High School in 1953 and graduated from Travis in 1955. She contracted Polio her senior year and attended the graduation ceremony on a hospital gurney. Following graduation, she attended the University of Texas for 2 years with studies in Music Education, until her marriage to Joe Wayne Perrone in 1957.

Mary enjoyed a lifetime of involvement in music and chorus. She was a member of the University Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir for 52 years, while also serving as the Youth Choir and Children's Choir Directors. She was a featured soloist of the church choir and participated in numerous musical and production revues. She was also a featured soloist of the Austin Civic Chorus, participating in various productions, including Handel's "Messiah". She also performed on TV and Radio with her beloved StairSteps Trio.

When she was not singing, Mary remained active in various civic and charitable organizations in the Austin Area. Beginning with her Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at the University of Texas, she was also a member of the Austin Women's Forum, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), served on the Executive Committee of the Zilker Hillside Theater and the Board of the Austin Circle of Theaters. She was also an active member of her Travis High School Reunion Committee and a Lifetime Member of the Texas Exes.

Mary loved to travel and enjoyed learning the history, religion and politics of other cultures. She especially loved the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado where many fond memories of family reunions were made. Above all else, Mary loved her family and friends, cherishing any opportunity to meet, talk and enjoy those relationships. She specifically requested that we express how proud she is of the uniqueness, independence, honor, charity, love and beauty of each family member, child and grandchild.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Joe, her father Raymond Williams, mother Gyneth Williams and sister Pat Dietz. She is survived by her sister Ann Stark and husband Ernest (Butch) of Houston; brother Bob Williams and wife Linda of San Diego, California; sister/cousins Betty Lou Nowotny Richardson of Waxahachie and Josie Foster of San Antonio; son Joe Ray Perrone and wife Karen of Dripping Springs; daughter Lisa Perrone of Austin; son James Perrone and wife Tracy of Cedar Park; daughter Jana DeLuna and husband Randy of Austin; grandchildren Joey, Amanda, Peyton, Ava, Brandon, Chloe and Lacy; and a vast extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.

The family will host a viewing on Friday the 29th of April at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar Blvd. from 6-8pm, with a Celebration of Life Ceremony on Saturday, April 30th at 10:00am at the University Presbyterian Church with interment following at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. Following her tradition, Mary requested that all attending her services wear bright colors as recognition of the glory she experienced when she entered the kingdom of Heaven. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir.