Mary-Ann Perry

Obituary of Mary-Ann Perry

Mary-Ann Perry

August 7, 1924 – Jan 4, 2023 

 It is with a mix of sadness and joy that we announce the passing of Mary Ann Perry of Osprey Florida and East Grand Rapids Michigan.   The joy remains because she lived well and with exuberance for 98 inspirational years.   

Mary-Ann, the daughter of Edna and Earl Johnson was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin and raised in Dearborn Michigan.  She was her father’s daughter and loved to attend hockey games, play golf and fish with her dad. She asked for a little sister and received Jody. They were friends for life and even lived next door to each other for the last several years.   

Mary-Ann was first and foremost an artist.  She attended the University of Dayton and started her career in advertising in Detroit and moved into medical illustration in Grand Rapids.  She put her career second to assist her husband with his business and raise her children.  The love of art never subsided, and she went back to teaching when she could.  Students at Kendall School of Art and Design and Aquinas college benefitted from her tutelage.  Mary-Ann was most proud to be the last surviving founding member of the Grand Valley Artists Group and a member of Mary Robinson’s Tree Top Portrait Studio.  

Mary-Ann met the love of her life at a young age. She and John Perry married in 1948.  They danced, golfed, played badminton & tennis, “motor-homed”, skied and sailed through many adventures over the years and instilled their love for life, the mountains, and the Great Lakes (particularly Macatawa Bay Yacht Club) with their three children.  The family sailed and skied together, and Mary-Ann and John boated the great loop together in their retirement.  They were married for 67 loving years and lived out their golden years in their home in Osprey Florida. In Osprey Mary- Ann is known as the bike lady and Aqua Aerobics Queen as she biked and swam daily.   

Mary-Ann is survived by her three children: Don (Nancy) Perry, John (Nancy) Perry, Juli (Doug) Petter and her many adorable and perfect grandchildren and great grandchildren.    

Mary-Ann’s world was filled with color and enthusiasm. She danced smiled and sang every day.  She inspired all who knew her to live their best life to the fullest.   

Our Florida family members and friends will celebrate Mary-Ann’s life with a viewing and catholic mass on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 9:30AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel located at 425 S Tamiami Trail Osprey Florida 34229.    

An additional private family celebration will take place in Michigan this summer.   

Mary-Ann loved to sail and would appreciate donations to teach youth and adults to sail.  https://www.mbja.org/donations/. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.farleyfuneralhome.com.

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Thursday
12
January

Visitation

9:30 am - 10:00 am
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church
425 S Tamiami Trail
Osprey, Florida, United States
(941) 966-0807
Thursday
12
January

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 am
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church
425 S Tamiami Trail
Osprey, Florida, United States
(941) 966-0807
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