May 14, 1926 - May 29, 2024
Mary Alice Perry (nee Noonan), a life-long resident of Manchester, NH, died peacefully, on May 29, 2024. She is survived by her five daughters and daughter-in-law Paula Chisholm (Bedford), Ann-Frances Peters (Philadelphia), Mary-Ellen Miller (Texas), Maura Fine (NH), Susan Hardy (NH), and Paula Lamberth (California), and her four sons Mark Perry (Vermont), Brian Perry (Boston), David Perry (Massachusetts), and Brendan Perry (Maine).
Mary was born on May 14, 1926 in Manchester, the only daughter of David and RoseAnn Noonan, and sister to brothers Thomas, David, John and Joseph Noonan.
She married Paul Anthony Perry in 1951 in Manchester, where they made their home and joyfully welcomed their ten children. She was predeceased by her beloved and devoted husband Paul, and her eldest son Paul Bernard Perry. Mary had many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and maintained loving and close ties throughout her life with family and friends.
Growing up the household was always full of family and friends. At many meals others were welcomed to partake. Mary’s children fondly recalled that each morning, throughout grade school, a few area children would stop by and have breakfast on their way to school. Although sometimes a bit hectic, their home was always warm, welcoming and open-hearted.
She was a 1947 graduate of the former Sacred Heart School of Nursing and part of the Cadet Nurse Corp. During her last six months of training Mary and her best friend Helen chose to work at the VA Hospital in the Bronx. There they met nurses from around the country. Mary forever spoke fondly of the experience and the wonderful opportunity to serve so many heroic veterans. Upon graduation, Mary worked for many years as an Operating Room Nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital, now known as Catholic Medical Center.
Mary was a true believer in “you learn something new every day”. She thus returned to school at 58 years of age with her friend Helen. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1984 from New England College. The two friends offered each other immeasurable support and upon graduation celebrated surrounded by family and friends.
Mary led a remarkably meaningful and impactful life selflessly volunteering her time and talents on behalf of a variety of organizations and social causes.
In the 70’s Mary volunteered at the Manchester YWCA in a newly formed pilot program, one of only a handful in the nation known as Encore. It was a support group as well as an exercise program to restore mobility and confidence to women who had experienced breast cancer. Mary was instrumental in helping many women through a challenging period. It was during this time that she discovered the many benefits of and passion for swimming. Mary swam laps weekly for many years.
In 2010, in the Executive Council Chamber at the Concord State House, Mary received the Vaughan Award for her volunteer services over the years. The Vaughan Award recognized individuals over the age of 60 for their excellence and the positive impact they had on the community and residents across the state.
Mary was a long-time volunteer at The Elliot Hospital where she annually knitted dozens of both tiny caps for newborns in its neonatal care unit, and prayer shawls for patients experiencing cancer and end of life issues. Her prayer shawls and knit hats were also given to patients receiving chemo therapy at area cancer centers to be used for warmth and comfort. Over many years she knit hundreds and hundreds of hats and mittens that found their way around the world from the Louvre in Paris to the subways in NYC to countless heads and hands of children and adults.
Mary also volunteered at Manchester’s Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church where she served as a Parish Nurse. She assisted in its soup kitchen, and helped screen elders preventively for evidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.
She was a twice weekly volunteer for over 40 years at the Manchester Red Cross Center. Mary greeted everyone upon entering the Center, registered them and on many occasions entertained the children who accompanied their parents with origami projects or handmade paper chains. Mary also participated in many off-site blood drives throughout the region. In 2018 the Red Cross awarded Mary a special volunteer award at the age of 92 in recognition of her caring, kindness and extraordinary long years of unselfish volunteerism.
Also a committed and passionate public activist, Mary actively collaborated for many years with The NH Clamshell Alliance; a non-violent anti-nuclear organization founded in the 70’s which opposed through peaceful protest the construction of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant in the late 1970s and 1980s. One of her children recalled that upon leaving one day to protest, Mary stated, “we’ll try not to get arrested but if I am not home by dinner look for us on the news.”
Mary’s accomplishments are too far-reaching and immense to touch upon them all. Despite her many accomplishments, Mary is best remembered for the selfless, unconditional, and unremitting love she bestowed upon her children throughout her long, rich life.
As a mom, Mary raised her 10 children taking care of them in all aspects of life. She attended countless celebrations, conferences and sporting events for her children and her grandchildren. She did so joyously. Mary was blessed with a generous spirit, compassion for all, and an unyielding devotion to all that is good in humanity.
The family wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Hillsborough County Nursing Home, Goffstown, who not only gave her wonderful care, but also showed great affection for her as well.
Services: Calling hours are Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 4 to 7 PM at Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH.
The funeral will be held Friday, June 7, 2024, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 AM in Saint Joseph Cathedral, Pine Street, Manchester, NH.
Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.
Mary treasured her family and friends, and asks that, in lieu of cards and flowers, they pray for, remember and always try and help the less-fortunate.
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