Shirley Isabelle Perram

Shirley Isabelle Perram, neé Franklin, passed away in Potomac, Maryland surrounded by family on August 10, 2023. Shirley was born to Henry and Elva Franklin in Roland, Manitoba and was the third of four daughters. She graduated from Roland School, moved to Winnipeg, and went on to attend the University of Toronto. In 1956, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the World Bank. There, she met Anthony (Tony) Perram of Los Angeles. They were married at Holy Trinity in Georgetown on December 29, 1956. Shirley and Tony had six daughters, Heather, Mary, Jane, Noël, Carolyn and Elise. Their loving marriage lasted until 2021 when Tony passed away.

Shirley and Tony shared many homes in Virginia. Their married life began in Arlington. They moved to Alexandria and then to Lake Barcroft in Falls Church where they raised their family in that beautiful lakeside community. Tony’s work took Shirley on journeys throughout the world. Together, they lived in London, Budva, Jakarta, Brașov, and Zenica. In addition, Shirley spent time in many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South American, and Central America. Summers were spent visiting family in California and Winnipeg, Shenandoah National Park, and the beaches of Delaware and Kiawah Island. Tony and Shirley retired to Williamsburg, Virginia where they and their family made countless happy memories.

Shirley was a gifted pianist. She was a child prodigy, playing at her church by age 10 and in bands for dances in high school. As a teenager, she worked in the music department at Winnipeg’s Hudson’s Bay Company store playing sheet music for customers as they considered making a purchase. When Duke Ellington visited the store to promote a concert, he complimented her and shook her hand. As an adult, she performed on stage with the Barcroft Players and taught piano for many years. Shirley’s talent at the piano lasted her entire life and she played until she passed. Her music was beloved by her family and friends, especially Tony (an aspiring trombonist). Shirley was also a talented painter. Her artwork graces the homes of her family and friends and has been displayed in art shows from Virginia to Indonesia.

Shirley was a loving mother and grandmother, a fabulous cook, a lifetime learner, an avid reader, a curler, a lover of nature, and outspoken in her defense of those in need. The joy she felt raising her children was enriched by her great sense of humor, her wit and biting sarcasm, and her genuine playfulness. She was active and volunteered in every community and parish in which she lived. She was an enthusiastic member of the Women’s Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra and was active leader in the organization’s annual Decorators’ Show House fundraiser.

She is survived by daughters Heather Frank (Justin Frank, MD) of Washington D.C., Noël Perram Monahan of New Jersey, Carolyn Perram of Virginia and Elise Molyneux Perram of New Jersey as well as her Monahan grandchildren Elizabeth (Bryan Pauley), Shannon (Adam Rosenfeld), and David (Emily Monahan) in New York and New Jersey and her Frank grandchildren Abe (Emily Beeny), Joey, and Ginevra in California and New York. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Samuel Anthony Pauley and Emma Louise Pauley of New Jersey, her sister-in-law Patricia Michelmore of California, and her many nieces and nephews as well as many family members (including beloved granddogs and great-granddogs) in the US and Canada. Shirley was predeceased by daughters Mary and Jane, her parents and sisters, Gwen Kerley, Violet Hull and Elva Stevens, as well as Tony.

Shirley’s life was incomparable. From the prairies of Manitoba, she traveled the world, raised a loving family, and experienced a great and unique love with Tony. She will be missed and remembered every day by all. The family is grateful to the team at Artis of Potomac, where Shirley resided, for their loving and imaginative care, support and tremendous kindness.

Private interment; a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shenandoah National Park Trust https://www.snptrust.org.

Messages may be sent to the family at [email protected]