Kathleen T. Perry

Kathleen Teresa Perry, a loving wife and devoted mother to 19 children (including 7 foster children), loving grandmother of 20, great-grandmother of 4, and loving aunt to numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, died with quiet grace and dignity on July 30, 2013 surrounded by family and her beloved nuns from St. Martin’s Home.

Kathleen was born on a farm on September 27, 1919 in Bonneville, Pa. She attended Immaculate Conception School in New Oxford, Pa. from 1925-1933, and graduated in 1937 from Central High in McSherrystown, Pa.

Kathleen initially aspired to a religious vocation as a nun with the Sisters of Mercy, but was compelled to leave the religious order due to serious health issues. She held various positions as a Telephone Operator, Saleswoman, Kitchen Worker, and Governess, before becoming very active with interracial justice programs at Friendship House in Harlem, New York, and later with Friendship House in Marathon City, Wisconsin. In 1947, Friendship House became a major turning point in Kathleen’s life and vocation as she met her future husband, Joe.

Kathleen was married May 31, 1948. She and her husband lived briefly in multiple locations before moving to Riviera Beach, Md., where they resided from 1953 to 1966. They moved to Fallston, Md. in 1966, where they stayed until they moved into St. Martin’s Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Catonsville, Md. in 2000.

Besides being a loving wife, and a fantastic mother to 19 children (including 7 foster children), and every kid in the neighborhood, Kathleen was a devoted and very involved member of the Catholic Church, playing the organ at Mass, and also serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Once she was even voted Catholic Woman of the Year! As busy as she was being a housewife and mother, she somehow managed to also participate in a number of community programs, such as Meals on Wheels, various clothing drives for the poor, hospital volunteer work, and daycare services.

Kathleen’s son, Joseph, says that the one quality that most defined his mother’s life was her amazing capacity to love everyone she encountered. She treated each child as if they were the most special person in the universe, and each child was so happy in her warm presence. All her family and friends felt her powerful love, including those caring for her at St. Martin’s. Son Joseph said that the nuns, care workers and residents at St. Martin’s shared numerous stories of her thoughtful and caring ways, and her sweet, gentle spirit. Some staff said they often went to her for advice on personal matters, trusting her wisdom and integrity.

Joseph said his Mom had a tremendous passion for playing the piano. It is the first music he heard as a child, and she continued to delight family and friends with her piano well into her 90’s. She was also an accomplished “green thumb” gardener, a very talented artist, a skilled seamstress, and a wonderful cook. Daughter Marian says that it was important that all of the family ate together, the dinner table was always like a party, and it was easily the happiest part of the day. As the family grew, Kathleen adopted numerous pets over the years, including dogs, cats, monkeys, ducks, parakeets, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens and fish.

Kathleen and her husband loved to travel, and often in their “retired” years they found special pleasure visiting with various relatives, and staying in numerous “Bed and Breakfast” locations. Kathleen also managed to make a special trip to Ireland, and to Medjugorje.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at Schimunek’s Funeral Home in Perry Hall, Md. on Thursday, August 1 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9, and at St. Martin’s Home in Catonsville on Friday, August 2 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9. Mass will be held at St. Martin’s Home on Saturday, August 3 at 10:30 a.m. Internment will follow the funeral Mass and will be at St. John’s in Hydes, Md.

Kathleen is survived by 6 sons, Joseph M. Perry of Towson, Md., John J. Perry of Bel Air, Md., Lawrence J. Perry of Gettsyburg, Pa., Michael J. Perry of Waynesboro, Pa., Dominic J. Perry of Lake Placid, N.Y., and Martin J. Perry of Fallston, Md.; 5 of 6 daughters, Rose Ann Perry of Edgewood, Md., Maripat Perry Fader (deceased), Marian Perry Tamburrino of Baltimore, Md., Kateri M. Ottati of Franklin Square, N.Y., Gloria M. Quinn of Mendon, Vermont, and Peggy R. Perry of Baltimore; 6 of 7 foster children, Gregory M. Rigby, Susan C. Stuart, Judy A. Canella, Pat Megenheart (deceased), Betty Famalaro, Leonard Genova, and Gerard Lichtenberger; 2 brothers, Bob Noel and Bill Noel, 1 sister, Theresa Bunty; 20 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.