Obituaries: Mary Iola Perryman Gehr (Nov. 7, 1929 - Sept. 6, 2009)

Mary was born November 7, 1929, in Conway, Missouri, to William Allen Perryman and Burtress Arlene (Taylor) Perryman. At the age of 6, her family moved from their home in Conway, Mo. to Wilder, Idaho, where they farmed. In 1946 she met Robert (Bob) E. Gehr and were they married later that year in Winnemucca, Nev.

After her children were old enough, she returned to school to obtain her high school diploma, and then went on to obtain her certificate as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and soon after obtained her Registered Nursing degree from Fresno State. After that, Mary attended Stanford University to obtain a teaching credential in nursing and neonatology. Throughout this time, Mary was a youth group leader, an avid participant in her church, a member of the PTA, a leader for her daughter’s Campfire group, supper clubs, and participated in an extraordinary amount of her children’s school and extra curricular activities, all while maintaining a 3.7 grade point average. She was a nurse at Roseville hospital and in 1972 Mary and her husband, Bob, moved to Crescent City when Bob, a State Park Ranger, took the position of head of maintenance at Mill Creek State Park. Mary fell in love with the area and would spend hours on the trails of Mill Creek, and walking along the beach with Bob and their dog, Nappy.

Soon after moving to Crescent City, Mary became director of in-service training at Seaside Hospital and oversaw many facets of the day-to- day nursing staff. She became an active member of the United Methodist Church in Crescent City and devoted time weekly to her group Bible study, and volunteered with bazaars, and other church functions.

In 1983 and 1985 she delivered two of her grandchildren at home, and in the early 90’s was the head of a project to start a Hospice Program in Crescent City. After early retirement, Mary vol-unteered with Sutter Coast Auxilary, Crescent City Convalescent Hospital, her Church, and was a member of the Crescent City Women’s Club.

In the mid-90’s Mary and Bob were visiting Phoenix and fell in love with the area and soon after purchased a home in a resort in Mesa, Ariz. She loved the weather, and the friendly atmosphere that Arizona provided, and she and Bob spent many years exploring the southwest together.

Mary was an avid reader, loved to travel the United States and abroad with her husband, devout Christian, and devoted mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend. Her amazing sense of humor, her contagious laughter and smile, and the simple happiness of her presence will be missed tremendously by all who knew and loved her.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Bob Gehr; her parents, William and Burtress Perryman; siblings, Leonard Perryman, Frank Perryman, Richard "Cotton" Perryman, Mildred "Millie" Borg, William Dallas "Bill" Perryman; and many nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her children, Richard E. Gehr of Crescent City, and Valerie L. Bryan of Roseville; her sisters, Doris and Jim Carpenter and Wilma Randall of George, Wash.; grandchildren, Dennis D. and Jolene Moncrief of Roseville, Christopher Moncrief of Roseville, Janna V. and Michael Carino of San Jose,  Mary-Michelle Gehr and partner, Mark Sanderson of Crescent City, Richard "Richie" Gehr and partner Michelle Noble of Crescent City, Amy L. and Lee McNiell of Merced, and Randy L. Gehr of St. Cloud, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Bailey M. Moncrief, Colton T. Moncrief and Ashleigh Moncrief of Roseville; Julia-Lyn Webster, Ashlyn M.C. Sanderson, Ryan L. Gehr and Elleana G. Gehr, all of Crescent City; Jozette A. Gehr, Lee D. McNeill Jr., and Michaela R. McNeill, all of Merced; as well as her in-home care family, Tammy Baldree, Bobbie "B.Q." Fernandez, Lara Lunn, and Bridget Williams of Crescent City, and many other family members.

Services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2009, at 5 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Mary was devoted to helping people, so in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to C.A.N.

Arrangements are under the direction of Weir’s Mortuary Chapel.