It is with great sadness that we announce that longtime Gift of Hope Donor Family Advisory Council member and Advocates for Hope volunteer Pat Perry died peacefully on May 25. Pat had been a strong champion of donation as a donor family wife since the passing of her husband, Donald “Bud” Perry, in 1995. She was 73.
A resident of Beecher, Ill., Pat (right) joined the Donor Family Advisory Council after being sought out by Gift of Hope for input on how best to respond and interact with donor families based on her experience as a donor family member. Pat never hesitated to get involved.
“It seemed the right thing to do,” Pat said in a past story about her. “I convinced Gift of Hope’s leaders that families could make an impact on the organization’s mission. My involvement gives me a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that other families have benefitted from my experience and input.”
Pat was instrumental in crafting many of those enhancements to the way we support and acknowledge donor families, according to Diane Schmitz, who worked closely with Pat in her former role of providing oversight management of our donor family services activities. “She was steadfast in her values and spoke to many audiences — in both the community and clinical settings — about the importance of donation,” Diane said. In sharing her story as a donor family member, she helped us moved the dial on the level and quality of aftercare services we provide to donor families. We will truly miss her spirit, energy and keen sense of humor.”
Visitation for Pat will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Hickey Memorial Chapels, 4201 W. 147th St., Midlothian, Ill. Visit the Hickey Memorial Chapels website to learn more about Pat and sign her guest book.
