Jean was born October 1, 1921 to Eva and Earl Cook. Raised, educated and employed in Kern County. Jean was a top student from first grade at Old Lowell Grammar School now the site of St. Francis Catholic Church through Kern High School's last year before it broke into many individual schools as the population of Bakersfield mushroomed. She was always a dramatist performing before church and school groups plus acting as an assistant director for Ethel Robertson head of Kern High School's drama department. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley after completing Bakersfield College to graduate with a teaching degree. This degree was promptly put into use teaching at Vineland Sunset elementary school for migrant children who were constantly being shuffled from work area to work area when their parents found work where they could. She married her high school sweetheart, Francis E. Perry in 1942 as World War II steamed ahead. He contracted TB from a fellow officer while in Panama putting him on lifetime disability. They established a home on the Kern River after rearing their four children, thirty years ago. She loved to work the three acres of land along the ever flowing "River of Life" as she called it and she always made sure it was beautifully groomed. Jean taught school for thirteen years at St. Francis Catholic School where she gained the reputation of being "tough but fair". Even her daughter, Linda, who was in her class for a year in the seventh grade recalls the same thing. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Francis E. Perry; children, Dr. Michael E, Perry and wife, Sandra, Linda M. Elias, RN, MHSL and fiancé John, Mark C. Perry and wife, Alice. Grandchildren, Evan and wife, Stella, Justin Perry, Tanya and husband, Randy, Annemarie and husband, Kevin, Jordana and husband, Pete. And six great-grandchildren, Trevor, Alyssa, Andrew, Brandon, Ryan and Brandon. She goes to be with her beloved son, Jon, who predeceased her in 1973. We trust God will smile on her soul and her short performance on His Godscape. Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 18th, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Reception lunch at family residence on Saturday, July 19th, at 11:00 a.m. Muriel Jean (Cookie) Perry Oct. 1, 1921 - July 9, 2008