Obituary of Crystal Perry

Crystal Jean (Chris) Perry, 55, died on August 14, 2013 at Pocono Medical Center. She shared over 22 years of her life with her partner Geri Daley. Born in Allentown on June 20, 1958, she was the daughter of the late James L. and June Rose (Keppel) Perry. Chris enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and bird watching. She was an ardent gardener, sharing her crops and flowers with her friends and neighbors. However, her greatest passion was kayaking. She was a certified water/boat and safety/rescue instructor. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, she paddled the Delaware River as a safety ambassador for the Delaware Water Gap National Park. She was a volunteer for the Promised Land State Park, helping with their introduction to kayaking classes and group paddles. Chris did trail maintenance, enhanced the appearance of the native garden and participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) festival. She also did volunteer work for the Brodhead Watershed Association and the Pocono Heritage and Land Trust, cleaning up sites and posting trail markers. Chris was an active board member for the Brodhead Watershed Association, and for the last two years she chaired their native plant sale. She was also member of the PALS, Charlotte County Rainbow Sisters and the Big Pocono Ski Club. She had suffered with severe health problems for most of her life. However, everyone admired her tenacity and fighting spirit. She never complained, never burdened anyone with her problems and was always there to help others. Chris lived life to the fullest and was a great mother to her pets, Kelede, Wee Maggie Mae, Stinky, Spunky, Seymour, Sophie and Momma. She will be soulfully missed by her family and friends. A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 18, at the Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco, from 2-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to Camilla Hall Sisters of IHM, PO Box 700, Immaculata, PA 19345.