Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Perry
First Name	Helmi
Middle Name	Valentina
Maiden Name	Paakki
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Maynard, MA
Date of Birth
Place of Death
Date of Death	2009/11/01
Publication	Eastern Gazette Nov. 7-13, 2009 pg 14
Obituary	HELMI VALENTINA PAAKKI PERRY BAR HARBOR and DEXTER Helmi Valentina Paakki Perry; 83, died peacefully on November 1, with her family by her side. Helini was born in Maynard, MA on Valentines Day; the onlY child of Waino & Stiina Paakki. Born in a Finnish Community of Finnish parents, she spoke and wrote Finnish until learning English in the first grade. The family moved to Pittsfield, ME when Helmi was in High School, and she flourished at MCI: achieving the National Honor Society Class Secretary; Manson Speaking Prize, Cheerleading and many lifelong friends. Later in life she became the MCI class agent for her class of 1948. She fell in love with a handsome sergeant in the Air Force, Frank Perry; on a blind date, and she took him horseback riding- he liked the woman but not the horse. Helmi was a bookkeeper and always worked hard to give her family everything she could. Her first priority was her family: she skied with them; went to all the athletic games; numerous camping trips; and she supported them in every way. Helmi was a self taught speed reader and even censored books for the town Library - there was always a book at her side. If she wasn’t reading, she was playing golf- she spent many summers in r the Women’s States playing golf with her buddies. ‘They moved to Dexter, ME in 1970 where summer life was full of swimming and barbeques by the pool....and all those card games. After serving as Vice President of the Dexter Credit Union, Helmi took over the reins as President when Frank retired, and she ran it for a year until they retired together. She and Frank spent their retirement years in Flbrida golfing and spending time with their friends. She always had her trusty pet Casey by her side that brought her much happiness. Helmi is survived by her loving husband of 60 years and their three children, Karen Perry and her partner Stephen Keiser, Frank Perry and Mark Perry; their four grandchildren, Amanda Stitham and her husband Erich, Morgan Perry, Alex Perry and Erin Perry; her three great grandchildren, Joshua Perry, Julia and Nicholas Stitharn. The family would like to thank the staff of Birch Bay Village for all their compassion and care of our beloved Mother. There will be a celebration of Helmi’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Helmi Perry Scholarship Fund at the Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 233, Dexter, ME, 04930. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald. corn