Mary Ann Perks

Mary Ann Perks, 72, passed away on January 14, 2025 at home, surrounded by her family, just after sunrise. She was born on May 16, 1952, in New Hyde Park, NY, to the late Francis and Irene Bojarski Caldwell.

She is survived by her devoted husband of forty-nine years, William Perks, a loving mother to her children: Emily Quinlan and her husband William of Ithaca, NY; Owen Perks and his wife Kristin of Burlington, VT; and Hilary Gibbons and her husband Derek of Plymouth, MA. Her eight grandchildren, Hannah Jane and Nathaniel William Quinlan, Zoe Victoria, Everett John and Lyla Ann Perks and Wesley William, Levi Christopher, and Derek Jaylen Gibbons. She cherished every opportunity to be with her beloved children and grandchildren. 

Mary Ann's sisters, Irene Caldwell and Barbara (Joseph) Canton, her sister-in-law Wendy (Tom) Backus and brother-in-law Stephen (Marlene) Perks and her many nieces and nephews will all miss her deeply and will remember her love for them and the joy in the outdoors that she shared with them.

An alumna of SUNY Cortland, Mary Ann was passionate about education, earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the field. She dedicated her career to nurturing young minds as a beloved kindergarten teacher at Catskill Elementary School.

Mary Ann watched every sunrise.  Her love for the outdoors was a testament to her appreciation for life's simple pleasures. She found peace and joy in hiking through the Catskill Mountains and the woods that surrounded her home with her many dogs, all of whom were well-loved.  She was an avid cross-country and downhill skier and in the summer could be found kayaking, biking, and hiking.  Mary Ann loved to watch the birds outside her kitchen window, outdoors in the woods, and by the stream near her home of 48 years. She loved to walk through the woods or along an ocean beach with Will as they enjoyed the peacefulness of nature looking for birds, wild animals, and their tracks. 

Her happiest times recently were with her grandchildren, whether reading to them, watching the birds together, teaching them to ski and ice skate, or playing on the beach.  She will be deeply missed by all, but her love for birds and the outdoors will live on in her children and grandchildren.

The family will have a private celebration of Mary Ann's life.  Donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice who provided amazing gentle care at the end of Mary Ann's life. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

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