Perry, Nancy L.

Nancy L. Perry, 66, passed away Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at her home in Iowa City, after a bout with cancer. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Old Brick in Iowa City. A second memorial service will be scheduled in Shenandoah in the near future.

Nancy was born Jan. 19, 1947, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Robert and Marjorie Ross. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in education in 1969 and that same year was married to George Perry. They raised two children: George Jr. (PJ) and Geoff.

She was an elementary schoolteacher in Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines before moving to Algona, Iowa, where she served as the director of a preschool and was active in community activities.

In 1981, the family moved to Shenandoah, where they resided for 25 years. While in Shenandoah, Nancy served on the board of directors of the City National Bank, taught preschool before becoming a highly sought-after substitute teacher and served in leadership capacities in many community organizations, including The Shenandoah Library and Foundation Board, AFS, The Shenandoah Healthcare Foundation, Book Club, New Iowa Schools, the Iowa Library Trustees Association and the May Mentoring program.

Nancy and George retired to Iowa City in 2006 where she enjoyed life among their wonderful neighbors, became active in Chapter KZ of P.E.O., the University Club and its Newcomer's Division, the Daytime Bridge Group and took great pride in serving on a special committee to redecorate Old Brick. She enjoyed the theater and fine arts life of Iowa City, attended Seniors Classes at the University and became the mentor of two graduate students through Friends of International Students.

An avid cyclist, she loved the outdoors and spent as much time as she could at her family's home on Lake Okoboji. She was a committed environmentalist and for several years served on the board of directors of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

She was also an adventurer, always seeking to get out of her comfort zone and explore new worlds. With a group of wonderful travel friends, she and her husband explored the cultures of some 25 countries around the world over the last 15 years.

In addition to being a caring and devoted mother and having touched the lives of many children in meaningful ways, perhaps her best attribute was being a good and loyal friend. Nancy had literally hundreds of best friends and she loved every one of them and never let them go. And they loved her.

She is survived by her husband, George; two sons, George (PJ) Perry Jr. of State College, Pa. and Geoff Perry of Iowa City; two sisters and their husbands, Rebecca Ritchey (Mike) of Wichita, Kan. and Barbara Omotani (Les) of Tuscon, Ariz.; nephew, Greg Ritchey (Heather) and their children, Hannah and Caroline; niece, Elaine Ashbrook (Chris) and their children, Maeve and Julia; and several cousins and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that Shenandoah friends direct their memorials to the Shenandoah Public Library. For Iowa City friends and others, the family suggests either Old Brick or the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Sept. 24, 2013.