Liz Perkins' Funeral

Tonight Rick and I had the opportunity to go to the viewing and funeral for Liz Perkins. She passed away Saturday morning after a rapid decline in health over the past few days. Rick and I both had the opportunity to be with her during these past few days and Rick had been called in to give her a blessing on Friday (basically a blessing of release). 

Her passing happened one year and one day after her husband's Dave's passing. It had been a rough year for her ever since Dave passed away. She has missed him so much and has had a lonely year living alone while her health and living conditions declined. Her family members had tried to get Liz to move to Salt Lake to live with them after Dave passed away, but Liz refused. St. George is where her life is with the Deaf Branch and Deaf Community. Thankfully she has had a good SSP who would take her places and help her with shopping and so forth and she has lots of friends who have continually checked in on her throughout this time.   

Liz will be missed, but her passing was also a blessing. She was deaf, legally blind, had heart problems, high cholesterol, diabetes, and more. We are happy thinking about her reuniting with her husband with both of them free of all of their earthly limitations. It must have been such a joyous reunion! Her parents and brother have both passed away also and so I am sure they were there to welcome her with open arms also! What a celebration must have been going on in heaven this weekend! 

The funeral service today was so beautiful! Rick gave the family prayer and also gave a talk. He and the other speakers did such a wonderful job and the service was very touching! Rick and I were both filled with emotions throughout the viewing and prayer. We also had lots of laughter as story after story was shared about Liz and the impact she has had on all of us! 

Liz's Obituary: 

Obituary:

Elizabeth McClellan Perkins passed away peacefully December 11, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on January 30, 1954, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joan Elizabeth Fechser McClellan and Kenneth George McClellan.

Elizabeth was born with several health and life challenges including deafness, legal blindness and a heart condition. The doctors did not hold out much hope for this newborn baby and told Liz's parents as they left the hospital that "maybe a mothers love can do what we haven't been able to do".

Not until age three did Elizabeth's mother Joan suspect that her young daughter might be deaf. Leaning over her sleeping baby she yelled ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH! She did not move, Joan realizing that Liz could not hear her and said to her daughter "I love you just the way you are with your poor little heart and thick little glasses."

As a baby and a small child, Elizabeth underwent several surgeries for her eyes and a heart surgery by then renowned heart surgeon Dr. Russell M Nelson (current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). After her heart surgery, Dr. Nelson approaching two frightened parents, said with a look of almost reverence "Everything went beautifully. I couldn't have asked for things to go any more smoothly. That little soul is going to be just fine!" These critical and successful operations contributed to Liz's long life and made it possible for other doors and blessings to be opened to her.

One blessing came when six year old Elizabeth was accepted to Perkins School for the Deaf and Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. This opportunity and challenge required Elizabeth to be away from her family for months at a time. At first, this was an impossible challenge for young Elizabeth to understand and was heart wrenching for her parents. But, over time, Elizabeth grew to appreciate Perkin's School and the education she gained there taught her many important skills which would later help her throughout her life.

In March of 1976, while attending a BYU workshop event and activity at Lagoon amusement park, Elizabeth met Dave Perkins (who was also deaf and legally blind). They're initial meeting did not go well. As Dave described it, "I acted out of character and pushed Liz to ride the roll-o-plane in a teasing way" She was furious and frightened, and it took another six years of friends coaxing them before they began to speak to each other again.

But after perseverance, by both Liz and Dave, their relationship mended, and they grew to love each other and become married. Elizabeth's mother described it this way "Perkins! Mrs. David Ross Perkins! That would be Elizabeth's name. That name had become quite significant in her life! Liz attended Perkins School, her interpreter in High School had been Susan Perkins, and now she herself would become Mrs. Perkins!"

Elizabeth married David Ross Perkins on Oct 16, 1982, in the Jordan River Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah for Time and all Eternity! Liz and Dave had 38 incredible years together! They lived for many years in California and later in St. George, Utah where they were actively involved in their deaf communities and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

One year ago, Liz and Dave were separated for the first time since their marriage began when Dave passed away. The heartbreak at times was almost too much for Liz to bear, but with the help of family, her branch members and community, and her social media friendships, Liz pushed on until at last the day she longed for came and Liz was reunited with her precious Dave!

We love you sweet Liz!

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Dave Perkins, parents Ken and Joan McClellan, and brother Paul. She is survived by her siblings, Mary (David) Lattin, David (Tammy) McClellan, Becky (Steve) Erickson. Also, Liz has many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews, all of which loved her dearly.

Our family wishes to express our sincere love and appreciation to the many friends and community members who loved and supported Liz and Dave over the years!

Viewing and memorial services to be held at the St. George 7th ASL (American Sign Language) Branch in St George, Utah on December 13, 2021. Viewing and funeral services will be at the Southwind church building at 1155 N 1400 W, St. George Utah. The Viewing will be from 4:00 – 4:50pm, the funeral will be from 5:00 – 6:00pm.

Here is an old picture of Liz holding Jaiden when she was little!

Rick and I went to Liz's apartment after the funeral with Liz's sister to get some things from there. I thought it was cute that Jase and Ellen's wedding invitation is still on their fridge (from March of 2020).