Rhea Monk Perry's Obituary
Rhea Monk Perry returned home January 5, 2024, after a very full life at the age of 94. She was born on November 18, 1929, in the small farming community of Cowley, Wyoming to loving parents John David and Nancy Pauline Cowley Monk. She was the sixth child of eight children. Their family always had animals to care for, a large garden, and an apple orchard and everyone worked together.
On September 1, 1948, she married the love of her life, Verl Jensen Perry, in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. Her greatest joy in life was the calling of wife and mother. She was encouraging to all around her, but especially to her children. She thought they could do anything and was their best cheerleader. She always had a listening ear. She and her husband were avid gardeners, and they loved to work together. On summer nights they would walk around the block, holding hands, as they distributed zucchini and tomatoes to their neighbors. Rhea also loved to sew and quilt and was exceptionally talented with both. She made many beautiful quilts and enjoyed quilting with family and friends.
Rhea always had time for her grandchildren, and they could count on fresh bread and cinnamon rolls and sometimes raisin filled cookies. She could make vegetables so tasty and always had canned fruit on hand. We, her children, feel blessed beyond measure to have her as our mother.
Rhea also served in the church, mostly in the Relief Society and Primary, and later served 2 missions with her husband, one in San Antonio, Texas and one in Palmyra, New York. She had a strong and vital testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she did her best to live accordingly in both word and deed. She was kind to everyone she met, and she had a sparkle in her eye and a smile that could light up a room. There was always room for one more at her dinner table.
When the weather was nice, she and a group of friends would walk together, and she loved her morning walks. She developed friendships with her neighbors that lasted more than 50 years.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, parents, 2 brothers and 5 sisters. Also, one granddaughter, Sara Haycock, one grandson, Douglas Perry, and one great granddaughter, Juliet Dexter.
She is survived by her children, Robert (LaRae), Connie (Boyd) Rowley, Neal (Vicky), Verlene (Alan) Dexter, Beverly (Rick) Haycock, Kent (Tina), Mark (Julie), and Joe (Wendy) Peterson. Also 30 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, a brother-in-law Edward Johnson, and a sister-in-law Nancy Monk.
There will be services held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 5565 So. Neighbor Lane, Salt Lake City, Utah. The viewing will go from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., with the funeral to follow at Noon.
The family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to Carrington Court Assisted Living and Memory Care staff for more than 8 years of tender care of our mother. We appreciate Active Hospice for helping most recently as she declined. Also, the service and love of the Carrington Court Branch of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has truly been a blessing for our family.
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