Nancy A. Perry

Nancy Perry, 71, of Streator passed away in Flanagan, Illinois on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Nancy was born in Streator, Illinois on August 18, 1951, to Catherine and Edward Gulvas. She attended Streator High School.

Nancy’s passion for connecting with others led her to a decades-long career as a beautician, often filling the salon with her infectious laughter and sense of humor. Once she opened the Golden Comb hair salon in the basement of her house, cars filled the driveway daily surrounded by sounds of harmless gossip floating from the windows. As evidenced by the beautiful cards, thoughtful holiday gifts and friendships that were cornerstones in her life, Nancy’s customers were like family. 

When Nancy was only in high school, she met the love of her life, Dale Perry, who remained the center of her world until his passing in February 2022. Even in recent years, she would giggle as she told the story of spotting her handsome future husband pumping gas as an attendant at the local gas station. The twinkle of a teenager in love never left her crystal blue eyes, and after 50 years of marriage, they never missed an opportunity to hold hands, sing their favorite love songs like “The Letter” by the Box Tops, or fall asleep with her head on his shoulder. 

Putting Nancy and her son Scott in the same room was like watching a comedy show, both outdoing one another with jokes and boisterous laughter. Over the years, there was plenty to laugh at, from the experimental perm she gave him to the hilarious Halloween costumes she created for him. As soon as Scott walked through the backdoor, you could hear “Scott?” or “Zippy?” called out from the living room with excitement. There was never a time when he wasn’t her favorite face to see. 

Nancy and her granddaughter Holly were inseparable best friends who talked daily and spent time together every chance they got, whether it was shopping, painting their nails or watching Golden Girls. She had a special connection with her grandson-in-law Frank, who not only became one of her favorite people but also her favorite artist.

Nancy was the kind of soul that lived as she loved - fiercely and generously. While she appreciated the finer things in life, she was happiest sitting on the back patio on a hot summer night with a bag of cotton candy. Though we will forever miss her presence on Earth, we take comfort in the fact that “Chief” is now reunited with her “Sparky,” and she’s likely filling heaven with that laughter we all know and love so much. 

A visitation will be held Saturday (July 8^th) from 10am until 12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 12noon at the funeral home with burial to follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.