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It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful mom, Cornelia Perry , 81, of Petit-de-Grat, NS, on February 5th 2025 surrounded by her family at the St. Martha’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Antigonish.
Cornelia is survived by her adoring husband of 60 years John Perry. Her kids which were the light of her life: Darin Perry, Halifax; Judy Pierce (Tony), Arichat; Maureen Perry, Ontario; and Roger Perry (Heather ), Ontario. Her wonderful siblings: Adrian Boudreau (Eleanor who was like a sister to her), Petit-de-Grat; Viola Boudreau, Petit-de-Grat; Lucien Boudreau (Diane ) Bathurst; and Bernard Boudreau, Bathurst. Her loving nieces and nephews: Keri Power (Todd ), Arichat; Kevin Boudreau (AnnMarie ), St. John’s NFLD; Michelle Boudreau, Truro; Michael Boudreau (Tina ), Toronto; Nadine Frigault (Denis ), Scoudouc NB; Yves Boudreau (Lisa ), Moncton; Nathalie Boudreau (Michael ), Dieppe NB; Pierre Boudreau (Ellen), Pennsylvania. Her cherished grandkids: Scott Samson (Courtney ), Fort McMurray; Tyson Pierce (Riley ), North Wiltshire PEI; Tonie Pierce (Stephane ), Moncton; Hannah Perry, Ontario; and Alex Perry, Ontario. Cornelia was also lucky enough to have spent quality time with her great grandkids: Remi Samson, Harper Samson and Amelie Pineau as well as great nieces and nephews : Rachel Power, Zachary Boudreau, Olivia Boudreau, Aurelia Newell, Nicholas Boudreau, David Hamilton, Sophie Hamilton, Louie Hamilton, Pierre Boudreau and Jacques Boudreau; sister-in laws, Mercedes Shepard, Eileen Jesso, Ruby Park and Josephine Jesso
Cornelia was predeceased by her parents William Boudreau and Cecelia Landry; her Aunt Agathe Boudreau, her brother John Boudreau; sister in-law’s: Diane Boudreau, Gertrude Janes and brother in-law’s: Leo Perry (Zita), Dominic “Don” Perry (Marilyn) and Tom Perry.
Those who knew Cornelia knew that she took life in stride, teaching those around to never sweat the small stuff with her signature saying “Rends-toi pas malade, pis prends garde à toi”. Her calm and friendly demeanour made her lifelong friends from an early age whom she treasured until the day of her passing.
Born in her parent’s home in Petit-de-Grat January 7th 1944, Cornelia spent her whole life by the salty seashores of Isle Madame. Growing up, Cornelia finished her high school education with Les Filles de Jesus convent in Petit-de-Grat. After finishing school, she ended up meeting and marrying the love of her life John Perry, a fisherman from Corner Brook NFLD, in town working on the draggers. In their 60 years of marriage, they built a great life together with their 4 wonderful kids Darin, Judy, Maureen and Roger. Other than a brief battle with breast cancer, Cornelia lived a long healthy life. Often saying “If I can go, I’m going!”, reminding us to always live life to the fullest.
After finishing high school, like many in the area, she started working with Booths Fisheries in Petit-de-Grat. After Booths Fisheries, she eventually moved into a role with The Royal Bank of Canada in Arichat where she retired some 32 years later. Staff at the Royal Bank were friends who eventually became like family. She treasured these friendships until the day of her passing.
Cornelia never let work get in the way of doing what she loved. She enjoyed her summers camping with her kids and eventually spending full summers camping in Ben Eoin, Whiddens Campground in Antigonish or in Whycocomagh.
Cornelia’s love of baseball and hockey kept her busy year around. All winter you could find her up late, sitting in her chair, watching the Toronto Maple Leafs from the comfort of her living room. Never hesitating to send a late-night text message to Stephane, a Montreal Canadians fan or her son Roger, a Boston Bruins fan, to remind them of the scores. Speaking of scores, all summer long, Cornelia could be found sitting at the ball field in Petit-de-Grat as a number one fan of the Red Caps RABA baseball team. At any moments notice, she could tell you the score and the inning and had a notepad with players names and jersey numbers in her hand. John and Cornelia also made numerous trips to Ontario and around the Maritimes to watch their beloved Red Caps play. When she finally made it home from the Petit-de-Grat ballfield, she could once again be found watching her Blue Jays play late into the evening on tv. But don’t worry, she never planned on waking up early the next morning.
Her love of sports was matched by her love for playing cards and bingo. She looked forward to nothing more than her bingo trips with the girls all around the Maritimes, most recently to Truro in October with her family and the girls by her side. Cornelia didn’t like to miss a 45 or a crib card play. Often towing her husband John or her daughter Judy to halls around the island rain or shine. Cornelia would never have to be reminded of missing a point, because she never missed points. She had her own hand, and your hand counted before you had even played your last card. Most recently, she traded in the halls around the island for her own dining room with her Wednesday night card crew playing Pay Me. This was Cornelia’s favourite night of the week. Even in the middle of a snowstorm she would say “It’s nothing, the plows still have time to pass”. She will miss her Wednesday night card crew dearly.
Taking care of her family and friends was a great pass-time of Cornelia’s. Her love language was often a quick wit sarcastic remark, a pan full of tweed squares or coconut squares, a batch of fudge, a jar of mustard pickles, a jar of strawberry or rhubarb jam, a homemade butterscotch pie when her baby brother Lucien was coming home to visit. Homemade woolen socks to keep your toes warm, hemming your favorite pair of pants or a big batch of spaghetti sauce.
Cornelia’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Adrian and Eleanor who was always a phone call away when they needed anything from drives to medical appointments, picking up groceries, prescription`s or just dropping in the house just to see if everything was ok, the countless meals you invited them for and so much more. Your constant care will never be forgotten.
We would also like to thank Dr. Laurie Macneil, the Strait Richmond Emergency Room Staff, Dr. Collins, the Paramedics, the Intensive Care Unit staff and the Palliative Care Unit staff at St. Martha’s Hospital. Her care during these final moments was nothing but exceptional.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home, Arichat. Wake will take place at the C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat, Friday, February 14th from 2:00 – 4:00pm and 7:00 – 9:00pm. Funeral mass will take place on Saturday February 15th at 11:00am at the St. Joseph’s Church in Petit-de-Grat with Fr. Duaine Devereaux presiding. Cornelia will be laid to rest at the Stars of the Sea Columbarium in Petit-de-Grat at a later date. A reception will be held following the funeral at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150 in Arichat where Cornelia and John are both members.
Donations in Cornelia’s memory can be made to Petit de Grat Red Caps RABA Baseball field for upgrades to their new scoreboard. Her family and her friends will have to rely on the new scoreboard next summer in Cornelia’s memory.
“Rends-toi pas malade, pis prends garde à toi”.
– Cornelia
‘’J’tattend parce que j’ai des oreilles.”
-Cornelia
1944 2025
Death notice for the town of: Arichat, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Cecelia Cornelia
Perry 1944 2025
obituaries notice Cecelia Cornelia
Perry 1944 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Cecelia Cornelia
Perry 1944 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
