Coralie Marie "Corky" (Kelly) Perry
Marriages
Hugh Perry - 1951
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 4A - November 12, 2022
Coralie Marie Kelly
“Corky” Perry was born
in Greeley, Colorado on
November 16, 1932, the
daughter of Rosalie Allard
Kelly and Glen Kelly. She
died in Grand Junction on
November 9, 2022. She
was preceded in death
by her parents and by her
husband of 51 years, Hugh
Perry.
Corky grew up in
northwest Colorado, and
graduated from Jackson
County High School. She
remained close friends
with her 14 classmates for
many years. She met Hugh at Western State College,
and they were married in 1951. Over the years they
lived in Rifle, Craig, and Hot Springs, Arkansas before
settling for good in Grand Junction in 1976.
Corky was very creative. She was an accomplished
painter and potter; she wrote radio plays about early
Colorado based on in depth research; and she could plan
a fantastic party! She and Hugh travelled extensively.
She especially loved Ireland and her Irish heritage. The
couple had the unusual hobby of digging for bottles in
old mining camps while allowing their young children
to roam the woods and campgrounds of western
Colorado armed only with whistles.
Corky was a proud descendant of Colorado pioneers.
She was a “cradle“ Episcopalian, and studied and
lectured on Celtic spirituality. She served on the board
of Camp Ilium, where she loved to cook for the kids.
In later years, she served her community as a volunteer
at the Marillac Clinic, in the Victim’s Advocate Program
for the GJPD, and in arts programs at local schools.
Hugh and Corky volunteered in Scotland one summer
and attended a garden party hosted by the Queen Mum
at Buckingham Palace in appreciation for their service.
She is survived by a son, Gregg Perry (Suzanne Guion),
daughters; Marcia Ford (Tim), and Jill Lawrence;
grandchildren Seth Ford (Sara), Adam Ford, Katherine
Smith (Dan), Patrick Lawrence (Danielle), and Evann
Myhre (Alex); along with six great-grandchildren: J.D.,
Bennett and Collin Ford; Eliana and Adelaide Smith;
and Torfinn Myhre.
Funeral services will be held at St. Matthew’s
Episcopal church on Sunday, November 13 at 2 pm.
Rather than flowers, Corky requested that donations
be sent to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ, 07078.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Grand
Villa, where Corky happily resided for five years, and
Aspen Ridge (where she spent her last days) for their love
and care. We are so very grateful to Ashley Johnson,
Joellyn and Dave Hines, John and Corine Hesslink, and
Sandy Thies for their devotion and support over the last
few years.
