Mary Perino

“Little” Mary Perino was born on August 22, 1926 to Felix and Mary C. Perino in the family ranch house on Oil Creek near Newcastle, WY. Mary was raised on the family ranch with her three siblings, Victoria (Mayberry), Albert, and Robert. She attended grade school at the Perino School that was a couple of miles down the creek and then finished her schooling at Newcastle High School and graduated in 1943. Due to the shortage of teachers because of the war, Mary passed the teaching test right out of high school and taught school for two years at the Red Creek School. Mary loved her ranch life, tending to her immaculate garden, taking care of the animals, cooking the meals, keeping the ranch financial books, sewing, and helping her brothers with the day to day ranch chores. Perhaps Mary’s biggest chore was taking care of the chickens and gathering eggs, which she would wash and place in cartons to deliver to town each week for her faithful customers. Mary was always used to a full house growing up with other families and children living with them at times, so it was no surprise that her door was always open to anyone who stopped by. Mary always had a pot of coffee on and cookies for visitors and was quick to invite you to have a seat at the kitchen table where she could carry the conversation for hours, sharing stories of days gone by and how the “Old Timer’s” used to do it. When it came to knowing about the latest happenings in the area, Mary could rival any newspaper. If there was anything you wanted to know whether it be about a recipe, a birth or death history, or the latest happenings, you just called Little Mary because it was pretty much guaranteed she knew all about it. Mary appreciated the simple things in life which contributed to her joyful spirit and kind heart. Her home on the family ranch was very special to her which was evident whenever she talked about the beautiful red hills, the lovely wildflowers, and lush hay meadows. After 92 years she blessed this earth, the Lord led her home the morning of June 6, 2019. Mary is survived by her brother Robert Perino. She was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Mary C. (Valentine) Perino; her sister, Victoria (Jay) Mayberry; and her brother, Albert (Lois) Perino. Funeral services are June 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., at United Methodist Church of Newcastle, WY. Memorials may be made in Mary’s name to benefit Anna Miller Museum. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary 111 S. Railroad Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701. Condolences may also be expressed at www.meridianmortuary.com