Bernice “Bernie” L. (McFarland) Perkins, 76, of Raymond, NH, died July 18, 2008 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA, following a short period of declining health. She was born April 4, 1932 in Chester, NH to Fred P. and Marion (Porter) McFarland, number ten of thirteen children. Mrs. Perkins attended Chester Elementary School and was a graduate of Raymond High School, class of 1950. She was a homemaker for many years until her youngest child entered high school. At that time she went to work for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. for 19 years before retiring in October 2006. Mrs. Perkins enjoyed nature walks, bird watching and crossword puzzles. Her most enjoyable time was spent with her husband and children.
Family members include four sons, Eugene Barnes and Laurie Fortier of Raymond, Merton Perkins III of Ohio, Paul Perkins of Florida, and Perry Perkins and Dawn Levesque of Virginia; four daughters, Cheryl and William Morrill of Salem, Laurie and Kenneth Desmarais of Hillsboro, Bonnie and Michael Smith of Derry, and Penny Perkins and Rick Johnson of Fitchburg, MA; seven grandchildren, Niki and Courtney Barnes, Kristine Fortier, Joshua and Scott Desmarais, Samantha Morrill and Korianne Johnson; a brother Kenneth McFarland of Virginia; two sisters, Beatrice LaJennesse of Derry, and Bethel Drake of Raymond. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Merton “Perk” A. Perkins, on June 4, 2008. Mrs. Perkins will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and for the loving affection she had for her friends; Jean Bethune, Hazel Sayers and her coworkers at Liberty Mutual. The family would like to thank the staff of Catholic Medical Center, Pleasant Valley Nursing Home, and Beth Israel Hospital for their wonderful care of Bernie.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at the Chester Congregational Church, Chester Street, Chester, NH, on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:00am. Memorial donations may be made to Adventa Hospice Services, 1E Commons Drive, Unit 33, Londonderry, NH 03053. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry is handling the arrangements.