NORWICH – Henrietta Ardell (Norris) Perry, 90, a life long resident of Norwich, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 2, 2012, in the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Norwich.
Henrietta was born Sept. 25, 1921 in Norwich, the daughter of Herbert F. and Rose Ann (Sherman) Norris. She grew up in Norwich where she attended the Norwich schools graduating with the class of 1940. Over the years she had been employed by the Norwich Pharmaceutical Co., Fishman’s Dept. Store, W.T. Grants and The Evening Sun all prior to becoming a stay at home mother. In later years she had also worked for the S&H Green Stamp Store and the Norwich City School cafeterias. Her longest and most enjoyable “employment” was doing day care from her own home on Francis Ave. where she had made her home until she entered the nursing home in December of 2007.
Henrietta was a real lady. Always smiling, looking for the best in every situation. Her motto could have been, Live Long, Love Much and Laugh Often. This is what she instilled in her children. A wonderful mother, not only to her children and grandchildren but to many other children throughout the years. She always had her famous chocolate chip cookies ready to be eaten and games to be played.
In her early years, Henrietta enjoyed traveling with her parents and long rides in the country. She was the pianist for the Chenango County Grange and enjoyed playing the piano on a daily basis. She was always ready for a good game of cards with her friends in the Card Club. Henrietta and her husband were the NYS Fair Post Standard Square Dance Champions in 1951.
On Sept. 16, 1951 in Norwich she married Walter W. Perry, who passed away Nov. 30, 1997. Henrietta is survived by her children, Martin W. Perry and his wife Donna of Mason, Ohio, Sharon R. Perry and Gordon D. Perry both of Norwich, her grandchildren Danielle R. (Papelino) Campbell, Amy L. Papelino, Amanda R. Perry, Erica L. Perry and Nathaniel D. Perry. Several nieces and nephews also survive as well as her special canine friend Abby.
Besides her husband Walter, Henrietta was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law Roy and Marion Norris and Victor and Esther Norris and brother-in-law Wilfred Perry along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Henrietta will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Brian Conover, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Mt. Hope Cemetery
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Suite 2140, County Hwy., 33 W Cooperstown, NY 13326, the Norwich YMCA, 68-70 No. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 or to The Place, 20 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.