Submitted by: Dan Rich
April 3, 1923 - Nov. 6, 2007
South Bend Tribune 11/9/2007
SOUTH BEND - Mary Beatrice Perry, 84, of South Bend,
passed into the arms of our Lord on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 6,
2007, in Hospice House of South Bend with her family by her side.
Mary was born April 3, 1923, in Louisville, Kentucky, a daughter
of the late William and Zelma (Kidwell) Hilton. In
1929, following the deaths of her infant sister Cynthia and
mother Zelma, Mary and her beloved sister Frances and brother
Chester were raised on the farm of their grandparents, Peter and
Lena Hilton, while their father worked in Chicago. In 1938, at
the age of 17, Mary, along with her sister, moved to New Albany,
Indiana. For a time she owned and operated a restaurant named the
"Busy Bea." Mary later moved to Parkersburg,
West Virginia, where she worked in sales for Montgomery Ward.
After moving to South Bend in 1948, she
worked as a waitress at Macri's and the Volcano Restaurants. She
later was employed at Nyloncraft and Taylor Manufacturing. In
addition, Mary was a talented seamstress as well as a highly
sought after baker of wedding cakes. Mary was a longtime member
of Little Flower Catholic Church where she assisted with funeral
luncheons and served on their prayer chain. She also belonged to
the Small Business Women's Association and enjoyed taking classes
at the Leighton Center. She was known for her homestyle cooking,
especially during the holidays, which featured her extraordinary
dumplings, jam cake and buckeye cookies.
On May 15, 1971, Mary married the love of
her life, Frank J. Perry, who preceded her in death. Also
preceding her in death were a son, Ronald K. Duckworth,
and her brother, Chester Hilton. Mary and Frank enjoyed working
on their house, traveling, dancing, and taking care of their
grandchildren. Mary later learned to play golf, joined a dart
team, and enjoyed an occasional margarita with her girlfriends.
Mary's family brought great joy to her life. Those surviving her
include a daughter, Connie L. Haley of South Bend; two
sons, Thomas C. (Susan) Duckworth of Granger and D. Michael
(Cris) Murray of Delray Beach, Florida; a sister, Frances Grabarek
and family of South Bend; numerous grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Mary
will always be remembered by those who loved her most, for coming
from modest means and for giving all she had to her family,
friends, church and those in need. There was always a place set
at her table for a stranger. Cremation has taken place.
Friends and family may gather for visitation
Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191
N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated Monday beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church. Burial
will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. In lieu
of flowers, contributions in Mary's memory may be made to the
Little Flower Catholic Church Food Pantry, to the Food Bank of
Northern Indiana, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care,
or to the Center for the Homeless in South Bend. Mary's family is
being served by Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503
West Third Street, Mishawaka.