Mary Patricia Perry

6/15/1939 – 12/30/2022

On Friday, December 30, 2022, Mary Patricia Perry was surrounded by loved ones and people who cared her, as she slipped away to be with our Lord and Savior. Born in the Bronx, New York, on June 15, 1939, Mary spent her childhood there, growing up on Valentine Ave with her parents Beatrice and John and her beloved sister and brother, Joann, and Johnny.

She married Charles Perry in 1960 and over the next 43 years together, they raised a family of five children, Donna, Michael, Gregory, Bradley, and Christopher as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary and the family moved to Hampton, Virginia in 1972, where over the next 26 years she carved out a career with the Hampton City School system as a teacher’s assistant, helping severely disabled children learn, grow, develop, and have fun at school.

In retirement, Mary called several locations home between 1998 and 2020, including Mesa, Arizona, Dayton, Ohio, Killeen, Texas and back to Mesa, where she was there often to help family when they needed it most. Mary never met an opportunity to see the world she did not like as she took full advantage of visiting places like Italy, Germany, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Hawaii and countless cruises and road trips throughout the country. She loved being a part of and experiencing local culture, food, music, art, and people.

Most of all, Mary enjoyed spending time with her family. Sometimes time was spent through simple things like phone calls or text messages and sometimes time was spent at more significant events like someone in the family getting married, retiring from work or being there for the birth of a child. Regardless of how Mary spent her time with you, she made you feel like you were the most important person in the world at that moment. She will be missed by everyone.

Here are a couple of silly lists to share that might give you some insight into Mary’s special personality. One of likes and another of dislikes. Dislikes first, no rhyme or reason here…milk, cats, and escalators. I am sure there is an interesting backstory for each of them. Now likes, in no particular order…Pringles, hot dogs, Casablanca, Chinese food, a good cup of coffee, springtime, roses and margaritas…of course, margaritas!

Finally, a special thank you to the staff of the Surprise Health and Rehabilitation Center in Surprise, Arizona, who for nearly two years took care of Mary’s every need. They did it with grace, dignity, and professionalism. On behalf of Mary and her entire family, thank you!

A funeral service for Mary will be held Monday, January 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 1:30 PM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.