Mary Katherine Perry

Mary Katherine Flanagan Perry, age 73, of Biloxi, MS passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023 peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Mary Katherine was born on March 21, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York within a large Irish family. She was raised in Garden City, New York. Mary Katherine cherished her childhood friends throughout her lifetime. While there, she met her sister-friend, Carol, and other best friends, Patty and Marion, whom she spoke to regularly, and held closely to her heart for her entire lifetime. When Mary Katherine was a young girl, she enjoyed traveling by train on the weekends to her Native Irish Nana’s house in Brooklyn, NY. It is there where she attended church faithfully, with her Nana on Sundays. Afterwards, they walked to the ice cream shop together. She spent most of her time on weekends such as this by her Nana’s side. Mostly, she had a loving, respected admiration for her Native Irish Nana.

Mary Katherine was married to the love of her life, Louis Perry, for 54 years before his passing. They were introduced by her mother after requesting Louis meet her daughter at her house party in Long Island, NY. Once they set eyes upon each other, it was "love at first sight" as they’ve both quoted.  Only one month after meeting, at the age of 19, Mary Katherine was engaged to Louis, whom was 23 years her senior. They married the following year. Together they shared a beautiful, romantic marriage. They enjoyed dancing together; They’re favorite dance song was "Lady in Red."

Mary Katherine was known for being a loving, kind, compassionate and giving woman. She was loyal to her family and friends and loved Jesus. Mary Katherine put her family above all else, always making sure to celebrate birthdays, attend school functions, and sharing holiday dinners. She was a devoted mother to her children. With her husband Louis, they raised them with courage, loyalty, determination, and love so they could accomplish great things. She devoted herself to the Catholic religion and made her contributions to the Catholic lives of many as a member of Lay Carmelites Third Order, a Eucharistic Minister, and as a religious education instructor to school children within St. Alphonsus Church.

Mary Katherine is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis Perry, U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII; parents, Patricia Anne Flanagan Vives and Donald Flanagan of Long Island, New York; and brothers, Donald Flanagan Jr., John Flanagan, and Daniel Flanagan.

Survivors include her daughter, KimMarie Perry; step-sons, Kenneth Perry, Douglas Perry and Bradford Perry; brother, Richard Polsley (Oksana); sister-in-law, Barbara Flanagan; sister, Trish; and by her service dog, Molly.

She and her daughter KimMarie were best friends. They had a strong, loving unconditional bond. This "Yaya Sisterhood," relationship was full of love, trust, laughter and support, no matter the circumstances. They were known to each other as "My Person." With the help of coffee or tea, Golden Girls tv show, and shopping - the comedic icon mother-daughter duo was always there for each other lovingly and unconditionally.

Mary Katherine was blessed knowing she was going to have a son-in-law like Gabriel Moniz, "My Gabie." She spoke often of her gratitude and love for all of his unconditional help and support by moving to the gulf coast during their times of illness and how Gabriel has helped her daughter and her two parents for the last four and a half years they both lived. Mary Katherine spoke of, "How thankful my daughter was to soon marry a great man and has been blessed to have found you!"

Mary Katherine was recognized by many loved ones and friends with having the fine qualities of a humanitarian such as; kindness, braveness, loyalty, and tender heartedness. She was forgiving, loving, generous and selfless. The hole left in our hearts, by Mary Katherine’s absence is the legacy of the lessons and humanity that she has left us, and will serve us, until we reunite with her in the heaven.

The family would like to extend a special thank you during this difficult time to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and Father McHenry and to David Stanley at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. In addition, they would like to thank Kare-In-Home Hospice nurses, Shane, Amber, Dana, Courtney, Holly and Karen; and Chaplain Connie for all the care they gave to Mary Katherine during the heartbreaking final moments of Mary's brave and amazing life; Those around her final days, became her loving supportive extended family & new friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Mary’s memory to be made to https://gofund.me/8d78c6d7

A High Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to visit one hour prior. Catholic Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. A livestream of the service will begin at 10 am. This will be viewable below.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Katherine Flanagan Perry.