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Ellen PERRY

August 12, 2009

PERRY Ellen Marie Perry passed away Friday, August 7, 2009 after five years of declining health during which she showed determination, optimism and her wonderful sense of humor. Ellen was seventy-eight years of age. Ellen was born in Granum, Alberta on August 21, 1930. She was the oldest of five children growing up with three sisters and a brother. In 1949 Ellen moved with her family to the Elnora area. It was here that she met Norman Perry, a farmer from down the road, and they started their married life on the Perry family farm. Ellen and Norm spent fifty happy years working together on the farm and raising their children; Bruce Perry, Glenda Pugh and Dale Perry. Ellen created a welcoming home, and all family and friends were treated to great meals, the best biscuits in the world and a fun visit with lots of laughter. Ellen loved her music, and through this love, her children learned to play instruments and eventually "The Blue Velvets" were established. Ellen spent hours finding music, taking bookings and driving to many events in Alberta with the band. She also spent hours playing sports, driving her children to sporting events, and even coaching. She was committed to seeing that her children were able to follow their interests. Ellen was also a wonderful seamstress, a gifted knitter and a painter. It was not uncommon for her to be working on a Christmas project or two until just hours before gift opening or to produce a beautiful knitted sweater for every family member. When Ellen's grandchildren came along, she would knit beautiful items for each of them - and many of them are still used and cherished today. To Ellen, the greatest gift she received in life was the gift of her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. She had a great interest and a great involvement in the life of all of her grandchildren, and was just as happy on the rodeo grounds as she was in the hockey rink or the skating arena. She encouraged each and every one of them, and there wasn't a time in their lives when they didn't feel welcomed or loved by their Grandma Ellen. To Ellen, her declining health, and her decision to leave the farm was very difficult. But as is her nature, she handled it with optimism and good humor and she quickly made many good friends in staff and residents at both the Redwood Meadows Lodge and the Masterpiece Lodge in Red Deer, and on the dialysis unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. She grew to love the people she met in her years in Red Deer, and considered them family. Many times she would treat them all to her homemade biscuits. She loved and appreciated the nurses that she saw regularly on the dialysis unit in Red Deer. Many comments were made by Ellen about their kindnesses, and she appreciated each and every one of them. Her love extended to all of the kind people that showed they cared; the handibus drivers, the housekeepers, the administrative staff and of course Dr. Hovan and Dr. Jim, who saw her through some difficult times. Ellen enjoyed her life. She was a straightforward woman who spoke her mind and shared her opinions without hesitation. She loved and was loved, and she will be remembered with tears, but more importantly with laughter, by all of her family, and the friends in her life. Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Norman Perry. She is survived by her children, Bruce Perry (Bev), Glenda Pugh (Wally), and Dale Perry (Patti) and by her seven grandchildren, Pam Perry (Chris), Craig Perry (Melissa), Billie-Jo Poitras (Brad), Trygve Pugh (Jolynn), Lauren McGowan (Don), Kendall Perry (Levi), and Dru Perry (Craig). She is also survived by her two great grandchildren Tegan Poitras and Keely Pugh. There will be a private family gathering for family and friends on August 11, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Masterpiece Lodge in Red Deer. In Ellen's memory, donations can be made to the dialysis unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.