Mary “Faffee” Thomson Perrin

Posted

Throughout her 78 colorful years, Mary "Faffee" Thomson Perrin was often seen holding court on her Uptown front porch with her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Robert "Bobby" Farrell Perrin. That life drew to a peaceful close on Jan. 17, 2017.

Born Oct. 30, 1938, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Thomson (deceased) of Montrose, Alabama, Mary was tall, stately and languid, with a full head of red hair often pinned up with just enough nonchalance to authenticate her Alabama roots. Mary embraced life in New Orleans, but never lost her silk-shielded, dagger-sharp Southern charm.

The lure of faster times and higher education drew Mary to New Orleans where she earned a degree in English from Sophie B. Newcomb College and a master's degree in Guidance Counseling from Loyola University.

An English teacher for over 15 years, Mary later left the classroom to travel the world alongside her filmmaker husband, working as a sound recordist on documentaries for the BBC, NBC and Frontline. When the Perrins returned from location shooting, Mary studied painting at the New Orleans Art Academy.

A superb cook and avid gardener, Mary filled her later life with painting, reading and holding dazzling conversation filled with humor, punctuated with pithy observation and frank honesty that catalyzed her genuine kindness to all souls who crossed her path, regardless of species.

Mary is survived by her husband Bob; her loving daughter, Elizabeth; and equally loving four-legged canine companion, Shirley. Although she will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, Mary's striking beauty and universal radiance will continue to shine on.

Funeral service will be private and a memorial celebration of Mary's life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association's Louisiana Chapter.

To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.