Shirley Parrish Perry

Shirley Parrish Perry was born on October 24, 1930 to Bonnie (Galloway) Parrish and Alfred Barton Parrish in American Falls, Idaho. With her beautiful auburn hair and amazing big blue eyes, she was the apple of her father's eye. Unfortunately, that special relationship ended when Shirley was only three years old, when her father was killed in a tragic car-train accident. They were living in Aberdeen at the time, but it was during the depression and times were hard, so they moved back to American Falls to live with her grandparents. Shirley attended grade school in American Falls. They later moved to Pocatello, where she attended Pocatello High School. It was during that time that she met a handsome young man named Lyman (more often called just "Perry"), who had just returned home from serving in the Navy. They were married in Butte, Montana on December 21, 1947. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls, Idaho temple. Shirley and Perry moved to Salt Lake City, UT in 1948. It was while they were in Salt Lake that Shirley worked as a model for the Richard Steffans modeling school. From there they went to Idaho Falls, where Perry got a job driving bus for the INEL site. They were happy there and again made many good friends. It was in Idaho Falls that she joined the LDS Church, were she served in various capacities. Shirley also began volunteering at the LDS Hospital as a "pink Lady". She later became president of the Auxiliary and had the responsibility of supervising the gift shop and lunch counter. She organized the first "Festival of Trees" in Idaho, which became an annual tradition, not only in Idaho Falls, but in surrounding communities. At one time, she was recognized by the Governor for having more service hours than anyone in the State. Shirley is survived by her sister Carol (Leon) Lish, Pocatello, ID., children, Melvin (Patricia) Perry, Salt Lake City, UT., Marvin (Madeline) Perry Pocatello, ID., and Michael (Susan) Perry of Lake Jackson, TX., as well as eleven grandchildren, Stephen Perry, Heather Perry, and Michael Perry all of Boise, ID., Marcus (Cynthia) Perry, Elizabeth (Shawn) Callahan of Salt Lake City, UT., Raquel (Scott) Call, Rebecca (Mark) VanOrden of Pocatello, ID., and Rachael Perry, Casey Perry and Cody Perry all living in Texas. She also has 17 great-grandchildren. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Lyman Perry, a granddaughter, Laura Perry, a great-grandson Christopher Perry, and a sister, Barbara Neider. Shirley and Perry lived a very short time in Lake Jackson, Texas prior to her husband's passing in 1985, after which she returned to Idaho Falls for a time before relocating to Pocatello, where she lived out the remainder of her life. Early in 2011, it was necessary for Shirley to enter an assisted living facility, where surrounded by her loving family, she passed away on May 28 th , 2014 at the age of 83. Funeral services will be Monday, June 2, 2014 at the LDS 3 rd Ward Chapel located at Butte & Hiskey at 1:00 PM. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6 to 8 PM at Colonial Funeral Home 2005 S. 4 th Ave Pocatello, ID. 208-233-1500, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow at the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, ID. Condolences may be made to the family at www.colonial-funeralhome.com