Patricia Hunt Perry - Class of 1956
Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net>
on 01/Mar/2023
Patricia Hunt Perry, - GUILDERLAND - An extraordinary life
well lived, Patricia Hunt Perry rejoined the source, leaving
her body peacefully at home on February 27, 2023. Her life
was truly her message. Born on January 1, 1938, Patricia
graduated from Newburgh Free Academy, Ohio Wesleyan
University, and received her doctorate from Syracuse
University. Professor Hunt-Perry taught American and
international studies at Ramapo College in New Jersey from
1972-2008 when she retired to move closer to her
grandchildren in the Capital Region. Long active in social
change movements, her influence and rigorous intellect
spanned generations: Civil Rights, Immigrant Labor,
Environmental Justice, and Women's Rights. Her work seeking
peaceful nonviolence brought her to Baba Ram Dass, Buddhism,
and Thich Nhat Hahn. Her family seemed to expand with
everyone she met, Thanksgiving dinners were a melting pot of
nationalities and cultures, all welcome at the farmhouse.
Patricia knit together so many threads of life, always
interested in who you were, not who you knew. She traveled
extensively as a visiting professor in India, in Eastern
Europe with peace activists, in Ireland and England, and
throughout the U.S. and Canada. Radio work at WBAI in New
York City, television work in Toronto, the Master Lecture
Series at Ramapo, and countless contacts at talks, lectures,
and conferences formed lasting friendships. Patricia is
survived by her sons, James and Jeffrey; dear grandchildren,
Tim, Jonathan and Spencer; and countless friends that have
been family for so many years. That list was too expansive
to publish here, but truly were the fabric of her life. Know
that she loved and cherished you all. The family would like
to especially thank her caregivers, Suenita, Hamwantie,
Naroopa, and Priya who guided her through this final stage
of her journey; Dr. Zimring and The Community Hospice for
exceptional care; and all of the friends who made the
home-stay possible. A celebration of life will be scheduled,
but in the time and space needed. Please feel free to
contact us at phpjoyjourney@gmail.com.
Tim and Jeff will respond there. We ask that you send no
flowers, but instead, plant a tree, cultivate a garden and
make space for the birds, butterflies and moths.
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