Karen Marie Perry
July 5, 1945 – March 3, 2012
On March 3, 2012, the world lost a Poet, Photographer and Filmmaker. Karen Marie Perry lived, loved and shared her life with the heart of an artist, the mind of an adventurer and the soul of an angel.
Karen was born in Denver, Colorado on July 5, 1945 to Ila Marie Brown and Sheldon B. Wolfe, Sr. In 1946, Ila married Judson Dick Bailey, Sr. who adopted, but more importantly cherished, Karen as the first-born. The family lived in Walla Walla and Spokane eventually landing in Des Moines, WA. A 1963 graduate of Mt. Rainier High School, Karen attended Central Washington University and the University of Washington ultimately earning her Bachelor of Arts degree.
In 1969, Karen married Ron Perry and joined him in parenting his children, Grant, Melanie and Lance. Soon after, they moved to Bainbridge Island where she made her home for the remainder of her life.
Karen was an active part of the Bainbridge Island arts community. Along with her participation in and filming of poetry readings at the Poulsbohomian Coffeehouse, Flowering Around and the Bainbridge Island Library, she also organized the San Carlos Poetry Reading for more than two decades. For years, Karen was the literary editor for Exhibition, Bainbridge Island’s Journal of Visual and Literary Arts. Her poetry was seen on busses in Seattle, in the ferry walkway, in the Poetry Corners exhibition, and read at various poetry readings.
Her films were a regular part of the Island’s Celluloid Bainbridge festival, and appeared in other festivals from New York City to Brussels. Her photographs appeared in the Bainbridge Review.
Karen carried her vibrant and curious personality to the workplace as well. She was a legal assistant, with attorneys Jeffrey Needle and David Shorett from 1988 to 1996. In 1996, she became the “right hand person” to Steve Lovekin, handling all manner of legal assistant work. She was also the office manager and IT manager for the many lawyers who shared office space on the second floor of the Maynard Building in Seattle. She was their historian, taking pictures and videos of daily life and special occasions, and always remembering people’s birthdays with a party and a card, which she personally made.
Karen is pre-deceased by her husband, Ron Perry. She leaves behind her beloved partner, John Williams; her step-children, Grant Perry, Melanie Perry and Lance Perry (Danni); her siblings, Lois Allison (Bob), Judson Bailey Jr. (Beni), Melissa Rosaaen (Rick) and Sheldon B. Wolfe, Jr.; her grandchildren Tayler, Lauren, Rian, Hanna and Jesse.
For Karen, the adventure continues. For those of us she leaves behind, we remember and celebrate her life with affection and laughter through tears.
A Celebration of the Life and Art of Karen Marie Perry will take place May 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Saint Barnabas Parish Hall (1187 Wyatt Way).
Karen’s work will be introduced by two Island Treasures. There will be a montage of clips from her films, a display of her photos, and a reading of her poetry by local poets.
Karen participated in (and filmed) poetry readings in Seattle, Poulsbo and Bainbridge, and she organized the San Carlos Poetry Reading for about two decades. She was the literary editor for Exhibition Magazine. Her poetry was on busses in Seattle, in the ferry walkway and in the Poetry Corners exhibition. Karen’s films were screened locally and internationally, and many of her photos appeared in the Bainbridge Review.
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