Perry – Olive Jean Perry (nee Friars) of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of Bert Perry, passed away in Medicine Hat on Friday, August 1st, 2014 at the age of 78 years. Jean was born on September 8th, 1935 in Lake Valley, Saskatchewan. Her parents Ivan and Maggie had 14 children. Jean had 5 brothers and 8 sisters. Jean started her schooling in Holly Rood School and completed in her schooling in Kelly. After she finished school she went to Moose Jaw and worked as a Pin Setter in a bowling alley. She worked a short time for Canada Packers in Moose Jaw. Finally Jean got her dream job of being a Telephone Operator in Rouleau, AKA Dog River Saskatchewan. Jean loved watching Corner Gas because the Police Station on the show was the old Telephone building where she worked. She transferred to Moose Jaw, operating there for about 2 years. Jean would travel to Scandia to visit her sister and on one of those visits she met Bert Perry. One thing led to another and Bert and Jean began a courtship which lasted for about 2 years. They were married December 5th, 1959 at which time Jean made Scandia her home. She worked at the Scandia store owned by Bert’s parents Bert and Stella Perry. On September 6th, 1960 they were blessed with their first son Darcy, Randy was born November 5th, 1962 and Jeff was born January 5th, 1964. Jean was the Avon Lady for the Scandia/Rainier area for 23 years, this gave her an opportunity to socialize as she loved to visit. Jean loved sports. As a teenager she played softball, when she moved to Scandia, she play fastball with a team from Brooks and also with a Scandia team. Jean continued to play ball well into her 50’s but by this time she had slowed down to Slow Pitch. Jean also loved to curl. She spent many weekends in the winter bonspieling. She loved bingo, going to Vauxhall to the Legion and into Brooks quite regularly. Jean loved hockey, her favorite team was the Oilers and Wayne Gretzky. She also loved playing cards, doing cross word puzzles and reading. Although she had Alzheimer’s she still did word search every day. Jean loved her family and every time they got together it was a time of reminiscing, laughter and joking as Jean had a very good sense of humor. Bert and Jean sold the family farm and moved to Medicine Hat in January of 1997. She enjoyed the drives they would take seeing the country side and becoming regulars at some restaurants. She never wanted to leave the farm and her heart was there until the day she passed. Jean and Bert had been married for 54 years. She is predeceased by her parents; sons, Darcy and Jeff; sisters, Dorothy, Audrey, Orda, Alice and Velma; brothers, Jim, Glen and George; in-laws, Bert and Stella Perry and grandson-in-law Jerry Nosterud. Jean is survived by her loving husband Bert; son Randy (Shirley); brother-in-law Bill (Aileen); 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; sisters, Ethel (Reuben), Betty (Lloyd) and Linda (Wayne); brothers, Gordon (Ruby) and Arnold; brother-in-law Jack; daughters-in-law, Michelle and Kathy and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 7th at 1:00 PM from Smith Memorial Chapel. Rev. John Theiss officiating. Active Pallbearers were Jean’s grandchildren. Interment followed at Scandia Cemetery. All were welcome to join the family for a luncheon at the Scandia Community Hall following the graveside services. In memory of Jean, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Alzheimer Society of Alberta, 401D – 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 0G8. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
