Delores May Perry, 84, passed away peacefully at home on February 19, 2013 after a short battle with brain cancer. Delores was born on March 27, 1928, on her family’s ranch in Dinuba, CA. She was the only child of Marshall Wright & Otral “Babe” Haldeman. She grew up in Dinuba and graduated from Dinuba High School in 1946. Following high school, she attended Visalia Junior College and during her time there she was introduced to her future husband, Walter Kent Perry, by mutual friends. On July 7, 1948, Kent & Delores snuck off to Las Vegas to get married, made a visit to the Hoover Dam, and then returned to their respective homes without the knowledge of either of their parents. Shortly thereafter Kent and Delores established their home in Visalia where they have lived since. Early on, Delores worked for an insurance company, followed by a job at a cotton gin. She then went on to work in data processing at the Tulare County Courthouse for 23 years until her retirement.
Delores was an outgoing woman who was involved in many social activities. Some of her hobbies included dancing, traveling and playing cards. In fact, she helped start a ladies Bridge group that still continues to play over 50 years later. Along with her husband, she was a member of the Horseless Carriage Club, as they shared a mutual enjoyment of classic cars. Delores and Kent took many cruises and traveled to many places around the world, but one of her favorite places to spend time was her vacation home in Cayucos, CA. Delores was a woman of many talents, one of which she was best known for was being an expert seamstress. She made curtains and reupholstered furniture for her home & the homes of her family. One of her favorite things was sewing clothes for her grandchildren, including many years of making matching dresses for all of her granddaughters, especially for holidays. Above all, Delores will be remembered as an incredibly loving wife, mother and grandmother. She relished in spending time with her family and would always go out of her way to be there for them in any and every way possible. She even helped her granddaughter, Nicole, study every semester of the C.O.S Registered Nursing Program often arranging her schedule around “study time”. She was, and will continue to be, deeply loved by all of her family and friends and she will be missed every day.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents, M. Wright and Otral Haldeman, her granddaughter, Kacey Perry, and her grandson-in-law, Steven Morgan.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Walter Kent Perry; daughter, Sandra White and her husband Edgar; son, Norman Perry and his wife, Diana; five granddaughters, Carissa (White) Morgan, Heather White, Nicole Perry, Stefani Perry and Christie Perry; five great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Dylan, Garrett and McKenna Morgan, and Mason Perry Thomas; and one great-great grandson, Xander Gonzales.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Visalia Cemetery in the Pavilion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.
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