PERRY, Barbara

Barbie Mitchell Perry, born Evanston, IL, 1933, died of breast cancer at her Phoenix home on April 5, 2004, still searching "after the same rainbow's end, waiting round the bend". She was one third part Power of Positive Thinking, one third part How to Win Friends and Influence People, and one third part Unsinkable Molly Brown. She loved so many people and was loved equally in return. Barbie came as a boarding student to Brownmoore Academy for girls at age 12, and her family soon moved to Paradise Valley from Chicago. She graduated from Scottsdale High School, the University of Arizona and after her children were raised and off to college, attended ASU to obtain a teaching degree and library endorsement. She was a school librarian in the Washington Elementary District until retirement. Barbie received the second ever Slonaker Award from the University of Arizona in 1965, which honored the outstanding alumnus of ten years tenure. In 2003, she was a finalist for Channel 3's Jewel award which recognizes women who have given back to the community. In the years between she served on the University of Arizona alumni board, and helped found Crisis Nursery, Arizona Kidney Foundation, the Maricopa County Hospital Auxiliary and was a past president of the Junior League of Phoenix. At the time of her death she was serving as membership chairman for the Friends of the Phoenix Public Libraries. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Lee, daughter Connie (Tim) Genrich, and son Christopher, of Phoenix, and son Geoff (Stephanie) of Thousand Oaks, CA. and seven grandchildren. Also survived by an aunt, Virginia Cluett of Westwood, Mass., and brother Thomas Mitchell of Phoenix, and James Mitchell of Temecula, California and cousin Avis Wierzba of Park Falls, Wisconsin. Services at All Saints Episcopal Church in Phoenix on Tuesday, April 13th, 2004. The family requests that in lieu of flowers you consider a membership in the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library or a donation to the Friends of the library. Please contact Jason Peterson at the Friend's office at Burton Barr Branch for membership or donation information. (602-534- 5208). Published in the Arizona Republic from 4/10/2004 - 4/11/2004.