Cathy Perry, 73

After a long illness, Cathy Perry, 73, passed away peacefully on Sept. 22, 2026, surrounded by those she loved. Even in her final days, her warmth, quick wit and sense of humor remained unmistakably hers.

After the sudden onset of lung disease in 2016, Cathy faced years of illness with quiet strength and little complaint. She accepted the limitations of her disease while continuing to find joy in her family, friendships, and the simple pleasures of life.

Cathy loved warm days spent camping, swimming in Montana’s clear lakes, and time in the Rocky Mountains. She cherished family, Sunday breakfasts, baking her mother’s holiday cookies, and making sure the tinsel on the Christmas tree was “just right.” She loved her Mustang, crafting, playing cards and games, and was a formidable poker player. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she could often be found reading her Bible.

Above all, Cathy treasured her grandchildren. Their laughter, adventures, and shenanigans brought her endless happiness, made even sweeter by the companionship of her beloved pets. She also loved gathering with friends, throwing parties, listening to music, and celebrating the people who became family along the way.

Her husband’s career in the Air Force took their family to several places across the country before they returned to Montana. Montana always held a special place in Cathy’s heart. It was where she was raised, where she fell in love with her husband, Leonard “Lenny” Perry Jr., and where she welcomed each of her daughters into the world.

Cathy’s working life reflected her caring and capable nature. She began by caring for others in a Montana hospital, later spending years in retail management in California. After returning to Montana, she worked on special projects involving semiconductor-related equipment before finding her way into accounting at Ledcor — a field she taught herself and came to enjoy until her retirement.

Following the loss of her husband, Cathy moved to Alaska and traveled between Alaska and Connecticut, making precious memories with her daughters and grandchildren.

In her final days, Cathy gave her family one last gift: the return of her younger, freer self. Her quick wit and sarcasm filled the room as she shared childhood stories they had never heard and spoke fondly of her mother and husband, both of whom had gone before her. In the end, there was peace.

Cathy was reunited in heaven with her husband, Leonard “Lenny” A. Perry Jr. of Kalispell; her parents, Carl and Jeanne Ray of Great Falls; her younger sister, Tami Ray of Whitefish; her grandmother, Lottie Whyte of Great Falls; Yvonne and Jack Whyte; Elmer Leary; her mother’s twin sister, Jeanette Whyte; and Bruce Farline of Spokane, Washington.

She is survived by her older sister, Carla Ray of Great Falls; her daughters, Hillary Counts, Stephanie Pelizzari and her husband, John, of Woodbridge, Connecticut, and Tessa Lancaster and her husband, Brad, of Soldotna, Alaska; and her beloved grandchildren, Hallee Counts, Joseph Pelizzari of Woodbridge, Connecticut, and Sean and Paislee Lancaster of Soldotna, Alaska.

She is also survived by her niece, Trish Ehnis and her husband, Russ, and their children, Lacey Olson and her husband, Erin, and Corey Ehnis and his wife, Holland.

Cathy was grateful for the many friendships that became family, especially her best friend of more than 50 years, Amber Golliday and her husband, Steve, and their son, Dustin Hartong and his wife, Molly. She also leaves behind cherished friends Kim and Bob Lindsley, Shirley Dilworth and her husband, WD, Carla Hamilton, and many others whose lives were touched by hers.

On a sunny day, Cathy’s ashes will be laid to rest alongside her mother, Jeanne; her sister, Tami; her husband, Lenny; and her dear friend, Bruce, in the beautiful Wolf Creek Canyon of Montana—a place among the mountains she loved and the people she loved most.