Mildred May (Millie) Perkins |
| Posted 2018-03-27 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, March 25, 2018, page 11a Mildred (Millie) May Perkins, 91, passed smiling Dec. 2, 2017. Millie was born Oct. 6, 1926, in Yuma, Arizona, married the love of her life, Leroy H. Perkins, and raised with much compassion and laughter four children. As each married, they included their spouses as their own: Marilyn P. & Howard Kerstine, Richard & Dorothy Perkins, Bruce & Bibi Perkins, Debbie P. Trittipo & Bob & Linda Perkins. Each grandchild was thought to be the one and only ever born: Griff, Chris, Rachael, Chad, Todd, Angela, LeeAnne and Nathan. The 17 great-grandchildren are held precious in her heart as well. Millie was a life-long learner, taking so many classes we feel she had the equivalent of several PhD’s. An accomplished seamstress, she made whole wardrobes for the grandchildren, as well as tailored suits for dad and herself. As a cook, she was a Julia Child gourmet and loved creative decorating with color and design. Millie’s love of beauty and zest for life sprinkled with a dynamite sense of humor, encouraged and inspired those near to try new things. She had a bicycle and a pink-fringed motorcycle that went camping and RVing with her and the family...with many “another fine predicament” stories of laughter. She loved church, Bible study, puzzles, music, reading...solving mysteries before the end of the story...and people. One of Millie’s greatest gifts was her God-given empathy and challenge to see, listen and befriend the saddened, lonely ones who almost always blossomed into the happy, loving flower God intended them to be. Her faith, hope and love shined through to all of us. When polio came, she bought a Walking doll for her daughter who walked home to it. When Viet Nam came, Millie wrote & sent care packages to her son and all his friends until each one came home safely. Her generous heart continued to give to our Veterans in need even beyond her life. When each of us Prodigals came home, the loving mother welcomed each with warm arms and surprising forgiving laughter. With each need or emergency, she was there praying her faith with love, laughter and hope. Even in death, she left us with the gift of her smiling face surely seeing her Precious Jesus and her beloved Saints waiting to take her to the next adventures of her faith, love and laughter. The family remains appreciative of the care and compassion shown through her friends in Prescott, at Granite Gate Senior Living, Highgate Senior Living, Drs. Jennifer Waara and Kevin Doyle, staff of Kindred Hospice and Marley House, Staff of Heritage Memory Mortuary, First Congregational Church and Rev. Dr. Jay Wilcher. Final services were held March 24, 2018, with internment next to Dad in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Covina, California. As she wished, a party of family, food, fun and laughter in Whittier, CA was part of continuing the Celebration of her life. “I would not exchange the laughter of my heart for the fortunes of the multitudes; nor would I be content with converting my tears, invited by my agonized self, into calm. It is my fervent hope that my whole life on this earth will ever be tears and laughter. Tears that purify my heart and reveal to me the secret of life and its mystery, Laughter that brings me closer to my fellow men; Tears with which I join the broken-hearted, Laugher that symbolizes joy over my very existence.” -- Kahlil Gibran |
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