Wanda  Perry

Obituary of Wanda Marie Perry

Wanda Marie Perry, 98, 12/02/1924 to 03/16/2023 

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Orma and Mary (Randolph) Goughnour.  At two years old they moved from Des Moines to Los Angeles, California and then shortly after moved to San Diego, California where she attended McKinley Elementary School graduating to Roosevelt Junior High School and then graduating to Herbert Hoover Senior High School attending two years, before moving back to Los Angeles and graduating from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1942.  In that same year she attended Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles, graduating in 1945 with a Bachelor Degree of Business Administration with Major in Secretarial Science.  Throughout her educational experience she received numerous certificates for speed and accuracy typing (81 w/m), also joined school clubs and was a member of Sigma Iota Chi Sorority.

Wanda started her secretarial career in 1945 at Gilfillan Bros. Inc., Los Angeles, where she met her future husband Warren Perry, they fell in love and married in 1948, giving birth to daughter Janice in 1951 and son Bob in 1954 making a home in Westchester.  In 1950 her career then became a stay-at-home mother and wife.  In 1960 they moved to Woodland Hills, California and as a family they hosted and attended many friend and family gatherings.  She was heavily involved in school PTA, receiving honorary life membership to the California Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc., and volunteered to be an elementary school noon aid.   Also contributing time as a Troop Leader with her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop, as if all that did not keep her busy, she gave much of her time and talent to helping their church.

In 1972 after a separation and divorce from her husband she went back to her secretarial career.  She advanced quickly to Administrative Secretary with the Los Angeles Unified School District, working at numerous schools and district administrative offices, then retiring in 1992.

In 2002 she moved to Chico, California, to be near her two children and their families.  Throughout her life she was heavily involved with church and a devout Christian.  As with her churches in southern California, here in Chico as a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church she often volunteered time and was always excited to participate in church events.

Her hobbies included knitting, needle point, crocheting, water skiing, hiking, horse back riding, gardening, she was a member of Butte Rose Society, and of course taking care of her pets.  The list begins, over the years she had five dogs, parakeets, cockatiel, bearded dragon, chickens, ducks, and tortoises.

Wanda had moved in and passed away peacefully at her son and daughter-in-law’s home in Durham, California.  She is preceded in death by two grandchildren, Eric Pennock and Kristine Perry passing soon after their birth and her daughter Janice Pennock passing away in 2017.  She is survived by her son Bob Perry and his wife Marlene Perry, her son-in-law Ben Pennock, grandchildren Nichole Gutierrez, Lisa and husband Matt Price, Colby Perry, Carrie Avakian, Stephanie and husband Chris Farboud, Alex and wife Marissa Perry, and great grandchildren Ashley Gutierrez and Brandon Guterriez, Makayla Perry and Elijah Perry, Logan Avakian, Kian Farboud, Maia Farboud and Soraya Farboud, and Nolan Perry.   

We will all deeply miss her.

Celebration of life services will be at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 13539 Garner Lane, Chico, CA at 1:00 pm on April 29, 2023, with reception following.

In leu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing.

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Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
13539 Garner Lane
Chico, California, United States
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