Obituary: Mary G. (Perry) Fugett

Mary G. (Perry) Fugett, age 81, passed from this life on Saturday, April 25, 2011, in Prescott, Ariz. She was born Dec. 15, 1929, in Leicester, England.

She is preceded in death by parents Cecil and Grace Perry; sister Violet Forster; and former husband Hollis Fugett.

She is survived by daughter Diana (Sam) Brissey of Cottonwood, Ariz.; granddaughters, Sarah of Tucson and Priscilla of Cottonwood; sister Sheila Wann; nephew Chris; and niece Collette of Leicester, England.

In her early 20s, Mary was elected beauty queen in several home-town pageants. She came to America in 1961 and became a naturalized citizen a few years later. She was always very proud of being an American.

Mary worked in the Prescott area for many years, most notably at ERAU, where she retired after 16 years.

Through the years, she served as Girl Scout troop leader, volunteered at the VA Center in Prescott and served on the advisory board at the Chino Valley Senior Center. She also volunteered there, entertaining seniors by singing and playing the piano.

With a flair for the theatrical, Mary served as lead singer for a band in the Desert Hot Springs, Calif., area. Along with her partner, Willie, Mary was known for her swing dancing. She also was a member of the Chino Valley community theater for several years.

Devoted to the Lord Jesus, Mary spent the last 12 years at Bible Baptist Church in Chino Valley, where she served as a musician. Members there were loved as family by Mary.

As per her request, no service took place after her cremation. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to Hospice Foundation, c/o Hospice Compassus, 70 Bell Rock Plaza, Suite A, Sedona, AZ 86351, which will go towards building a Verde Valley hospice house.

Chino Valley Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Information provided by survivors.