Kathleen Calhoun Perry

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Elizabeth Calhoun, and her four siblings, Mary Ellen (Bruce) Jaynes, Fred B. (Dee Ann) Calhoun Jr., John C. (Mary Lou) Calhoun and Julia Ann (Ben) Wilson.

Kathleen was a wonderful wife, mother, and Nana. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, James Louis Perry; her devoted children, Elizabeth Grey (Larry) Webb of Cary, NC, Leslie (Greg) Brewer, of Powhatan, VA, and Kevin (Andrea) Perry of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren, Taylor Webb, Megan Brewer (Westin) Hayden, Lauren Webb (William) Murray, Cameron Brewer, Addison Perry, and Ava Perry; and two great-grandchildren, Cooper Hayden and Tupper Grey Murray, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was born June 27, 1932, in Waynesville, NC and graduated from Waynesville Township High School where she was a proud member of the Marching Band which won state honors. She then completed secretarial studies at Greensboro Women’s College. Kathleen was a devoted dance instructor in Waynesville, NC for several years in the 1950’s, where she taught tap and ballet. She loved to dance and would spontaneously break out in a little tap dance even in her later years.

After Kathleen and Jim were married in Waynesville in 1957, they moved to East Lansing, MI and then to Gasport, NY in 1962 where they built their beautiful country home and raised their 3 children. While in NY, Kathleen was President of her Mothers Club in Lockport, and was very active in the Lockport Garden Club.

Kathleen’s passions included gardening and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She entered her floral arrangements in the Niagara County Fair and won blue ribbons. She was an incredible seamstress and spent countless hours on her sewing machine sewing outfits for her young children. The most memorable were the beautiful Easter clothes and matching coats that she made. Kathleen was a talented decorator with a timeless, classic style and thoroughly enjoyed making her house a beautiful home. She loved playing the piano, simply for enjoyment, and had the unique talent of playing by ear rather than reading music.

In 1986 Kathleen and Jim moved south to Raleigh, NC where Kathleen worked as an Administrative Assistant with GE Mortgage. After retiring, they enjoyed travels to China, England, Switzerland, Holland, and Germany. Kathleen was a wonderful hostess and many fond family memories were made at their home during the holidays.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, January 29th at 2:00pm at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh, NC. A reception for family and friends will immediately follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Red Cross.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the Perry family by selecting "add a memory" below.