Obituary of Florence M. Perlee

Florence M. Perlee Florence M. "Mac" Perlee, 91, formerly of 42 West Summit Ave., Lakewood, and Loyalton of Lakewood, died Thursday (January 21, 2010) at Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing. She was born November 27, 1918, in Hudson, NY, the daughter of James Harrison McKeever and Florence Lillie McKeever. She was predeceased by her husband, Willard E. Perlee, after 61 years of marriage, on May 23, 2004. They were married in Hudson, NY during World War II on April 15, 1943, and had resided in Jamestown since 1953. Mrs. Perlee was a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and was a member of its honorary teaching society, Epsilon Delta Chi. She taught elementary school for several years, first in the Katonah Public Schools in Westchester County, later in New Haven, CT while her husband completed Yale Law School, and then in the Jamestown Public Schools. After raising her family she was a much requested substitute teacher in the Jamestown elementary schools. Mac, as she was known by her many friends, was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and sang for many years in the Chancel Choir. She was a talented musician, having sung with the Rochester Oratorio Society, and was a very accomplished pianist. She served as an accompanist for many of the musicians who performed over the years at The Mozart Club, which she served as President and by which she was honored as a 50 Year Member. She was a member of The Crche, Inc., as well as having served for many years on the Board of Directors of both The Agnes Home and The Warner Home. Music was one of the greatest passions of Mac's life. She loved the opera and for many years attended the performances of the Chautauqua Opera Company. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing for the Warner Home residents, and she also loved to play her parlor grand piano at gatherings for family and friends. She is survived by her son, J. Reynolds Perlee (Patty), of Jamestown, and her daughter, Suzanne P. Baur (Norm), of Marietta, GA; four grandchildren: Scott C. Maloney of Rocky River, OH, Todd A. Maloney of Burlington Township, NJ, Aubrey E. Perlee of Chicago, and Alexander C. Baur of Marietta, GA. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Ryan and Nathan Maloney, and Kaitlyn and Jonathon Maloney; as well as her sister-in-law, Mirial M. Clapp, of Hudson, NY. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday in the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Thomas A. Sweet, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 PM Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Mozart Club, c/o Sonya Burkett, treasurer, 21 Howard St., Jamestown, NY 14701; the Eleanor B. Franks Fund for Opera at Chautauqua Institution, P.O. Box 28, Chautauqua, NY 14722; or the Prendergast Library Association, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701.