Nancy Perry

Aug. 22, 1949– Dec.19, 2023

 

Nancy Eleanor Perry, 74 of Ashland, Kentucky, was born Monday, Aug. 22, 1949 at Lawrence County General Hospital in Ironton and departed peacefully Tuesday, Dec.19, 2023, Community Hospice Care, in Ashland, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Millis Perry Vallance; her father, Charles Perry; her younger sister, Carole Perry Short and older sister, Susan Perry Carter.

She is survived by her loving son, Chris Perry, of Ironton; and beloved grandchildren, Rylan Perry, from Maumee, and Dane Perry, from Cincinnati. She is also survived by a host of family and close friends, stretching from Michigan to Florida. Nancy was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend to many.

Nancy was a 1967 graduate of Russell High School. She was an art student at Morehead State University and later, a 1977 graduate of Ashland Community College, where she received her RN license.

After working 25 years in obstetrics and neonatology, she decided at the age of 52, that it was time to add a more challenging facet to her career in nursing, by earning a master’s degree from the prestigious Vanderbilt School of Nursing. She graduated with her NNP in neonatal, nurse sciences.

Nancy’s nursing career spanned over five decades, from her LPN at a private medical practice, to a neonatal nurse practitioner and transport/flight nurse at Cabell Huntington Hospital and King’s Daughters Hospital, respectively.

She was a valued colleague to many, in the local nursing, hospital and healthcare community. It makes me proud to say that I have been told many times over the years about the wonderful impact she had on people’s families across the Tri-State!

She was also, arguably the most devout, UK basketball fan(atic) the program has ever known…

GO CATS!!!

For anyone who ever loved and respected my mom, you are cordially invited to attend an informal celebration of life Aug. 22 at 10:30 a.m.

It should be noted, my mom said in a truly Nancy Perry fashion just days before she passed, if she were to die near the holidays, it was her desire that we not add any extra stress to other people’s lives.

With that in mind, the kids and I decided to make this a full circle moment, returning her to the Earth, on the day that she was born… We believe she would appreciate the symmetry.

Arrangements have been made for the Nurse Honor Guard of the River Cities to provide a small ceremony in Nancy’s memory.

The celebration will be held at the riverfront park and gazebo on River Drive in Russell, Kentucky (just follow the blue and white balloons) and to any who are so inclined, please feel free to don something UK Blue.

She will be looking down with a huge smile!

On behalf of Rylan Grace, Dane Alexander, and myself, we want you to know Granna, that you are now and always will be missed.

We do however, take comfort in knowing that the next time we see you, we will see you forever!