Obituary for Elizabeth "Betty" Perry
PITTSFIELD — Elizabeth L. “Betty” Perry, 90, of 9 Cole Ave., died on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, of complications relating to congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Born on April 27, 1930, in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Alvaretta (Mara) Clark. A 1947 graduate of the former St. Joseph Central High School, she was in the first class to graduate from the school’s new building on Maplewood Avenue. She then studied education at College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, graduating in 1951.
She started her elementary school teaching career at the former Dawes School, from which she walked home to her parents’ house on West Housatonic Street each day for lunch. On Dec. 20, 1952, she married the late Leonard J. Perry, D.V.M, following him to Michigan as he pursued his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Michigan State University. She continued to teach while he was in school there. She left the field after a total of 10 years.
In July 1962, she helped her husband open the Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital on West Housatonic Street, serving as his right hand as he got the practice up and running. Dr. Perry sold the practice to Dr. John Reynolds when he retired in 1996.
A homemaker for the rest of her life, Mrs. Perry was passionate about playing the piano. Many an afternoon, neighbors on Roberta Road could hear her playing and singing with the front living room window open. She enjoyed her annuals, especially pansies and geraniums, and her hanging baskets of fuchsias in the yard she and her husband so meticulously maintained. She was also famous for her puppy training abilities. In her later years, she enjoyed dining out, sometimes as often as twice a day. Her most favorite haunts were the former Paul’s Restaurant, Tahiti Takeout, the Dalton Restaurant, Cim’s, Teo’s, the Hot Dog Ranch, Misty Moonlight Diner, and the Luau Hale in Lenox.
She leaves her children, Paul Perry and his wife, Catherine, with whom she lived; Judith (Perry) Fairweather of Pittsfield; and Laura Perry of Lake Worth, Fla.; her sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Martin, of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nine nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held, TUESDAY, March 9, 2021 at 9a, at St. Mark Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Fedoryshyn, Pastor. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please support a locally owned restaurant in her honor by purchasing a meal or a gift card. Dery Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Born on April 27, 1930, in Pittsfield, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Alvaretta (Mara) Clark. A 1947 graduate of the former St. Joseph Central High School, she was in the first class to graduate from the school’s new building on Maplewood Avenue. She then studied education at College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, graduating in 1951.
She started her elementary school teaching career at the former Dawes School, from which she walked home to her parents’ house on West Housatonic Street each day for lunch. On Dec. 20, 1952, she married the late Leonard J. Perry, D.V.M, following him to Michigan as he pursued his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Michigan State University. She continued to teach while he was in school there. She left the field after a total of 10 years.
In July 1962, she helped her husband open the Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital on West Housatonic Street, serving as his right hand as he got the practice up and running. Dr. Perry sold the practice to Dr. John Reynolds when he retired in 1996.
A homemaker for the rest of her life, Mrs. Perry was passionate about playing the piano. Many an afternoon, neighbors on Roberta Road could hear her playing and singing with the front living room window open. She enjoyed her annuals, especially pansies and geraniums, and her hanging baskets of fuchsias in the yard she and her husband so meticulously maintained. She was also famous for her puppy training abilities. In her later years, she enjoyed dining out, sometimes as often as twice a day. Her most favorite haunts were the former Paul’s Restaurant, Tahiti Takeout, the Dalton Restaurant, Cim’s, Teo’s, the Hot Dog Ranch, Misty Moonlight Diner, and the Luau Hale in Lenox.
She leaves her children, Paul Perry and his wife, Catherine, with whom she lived; Judith (Perry) Fairweather of Pittsfield; and Laura Perry of Lake Worth, Fla.; her sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Martin, of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nine nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held, TUESDAY, March 9, 2021 at 9a, at St. Mark Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Fedoryshyn, Pastor. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please support a locally owned restaurant in her honor by purchasing a meal or a gift card. Dery Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.