Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Wednesday November 30, 2022, Kathleen (“Kay”) Chauncey Perry, beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to Fred and Emma Chauncey in Washington, North Carolina, Kay was a youthful 75 years old at the time of her passing. Kay grew up in Washington and was known to be an over-achiever, heavily involved in high school academics and activities.  She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, before getting married and having her three exceptional daughters. After her divorce, Kay made a wonderful home in North Carolina for her children with the help of extended family — especially her sister, Sue.  In Kay’s younger days, she was one busy woman; balancing her jobs and raising her girls, with all of the joys (and difficulties) that came with it.  As many may know, she was not one to shy away from a challenge and her daughters were so proud of their mother’s strength and character demonstrated throughout her very full life.  Kay raised her family with such devotion and love.

Kay started her career at Atwood & Morrill in Washington, NC.  Through various promotions, Kay made the difficult decision to relocate her family to Marblehead, MA in 1982 to further her career at A&M, which later became Weir Valves & Controls.  During her 36-year tenure at Weir, Kay earned an MBA degree at Simmons University in Boston, and the title of Vice President of Commercial Sales & Contracts. Kay was a strong leader and became a highly respected member of the Weir team.  She formed strong friendships and supportive connections with members of the A&M/Weir companies. While working in the power industry, Kay was able to travel the world, including such places as France, Italy, England, Scotland, Brazil, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, China, and South Africa.

Since Kay’s retirement in 2015, she has been able to pursue happiness through her interests: spending time with her family, caring for her garden, reading for fun, and collecting quite a library of Liberty wooden puzzles. But most of all, Kay became a familiar face and local celebrity on her daily walks, sharing a good word and a smile all around the oceanside streets of Marblehead. She truly enjoyed her retirement, “getting in her steps,” taking care of her health, helping others whenever she could, and kicking everyone’s butts in weekly FitBit challenges. She was a huge sports enthusiast — always happy to cheer on the New England sports teams and her fantasy football teams. And “Grammie Kay” was the number one fan of ANY of her grandchildren’s activities. She would light up when her grandchildren entered a room, excited for their accomplishments and happy to be an active part of their daily lives.

Kay is survived by her sister, Sue (L.J.) Chauncey Phillips of Washington, NC and her sister, Sallie Keel; her daughters Beth (Norm) Perry Fuller of Savage, MN, Amy (Dan) Perry Plakansof Beverly, MA, Libby (Steve) Perry Gransbury of Marblehead.  Grammie Kay had seven amazing grandchildren in her life: Zach and Ryan Fuller, Jake and Eliza Plakans, and Tyler, Ellie and Casey Gransbury.  While she will miss the next milestones and adventures of these “kiddos”, she will surely look down from above with pride, and be remembered by them always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider treating others with kindness and compassion.  Great thanks to the ICU nurses and staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and gratitude to the volunteers and staff at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA.  Her family greatly appreciates the personal care and comfort provided to their mom in her final days.  The family plans to host a celebration of life ceremony during the summer of 2023 for this amazing lady who touched so many lives and always put her family first.  Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.comfor the Perry family.