Gay Nell Marsh Perrin

Gay Nell Marsh Perrin

Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home

June 13, 2024

Gay Nell Marsh Perrin passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family and caregivers on June 13, 2024, at the age of 88, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in 1936 to Harry and Laura Rorer Marsh in Cynthiana, Kentucky, the youngest of seven children. Gay grew up on a farm and had many stories and memories of both its joys and challenges. There, she developed persistence and a strong work ethic. She began her love of reading, writing and poetry as a result of spending much time alone after her older siblings left home. She graduated as co-valedictorian of Harrison County High School and received a scholarship to Bethany College in West Virginia, graduating with a degree in English. During her student teaching, she met Wilbur (Bill) Perrin and they were married in June of 1958. They welcomed their children Faith, Beth and Jon during the next 7 years. They moved to Pomeroy from northern Ohio and lived there the rest of their lives, Bill serving as Pastor at Trinity Congregational Church. Gay loved the church and was involved in the choir, church council, and ladies’ groups. They made lifelong friendships there. Gay began teaching English at Meigs Junior High in 1973. She influenced countless students during her career and was also a well-known substitute teacher and tutor after retirement, subbing until she was 80 years old. She loved the schools and her coworkers. In later years, adults would stop her in public to say hi, and she would realize that they were former students she had known as young teens. Mrs. Perrin was well-known and loved for being a kind, compassionate teacher. After her husband passed away in 1987, Gay remained an important part of Trinity Church, and enjoyed years of being a grandmother to six grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling with groups to Russia, England, Europe, Egypt, the Holy Lands and across the United States. Every year in June for over 40 years, her extended family gathered for the Marsh Reunion in various Kentucky State Parks. She treasured keeping family connections and memories alive and seeing her beloved siblings every year. Gay also loved participating in the local Literary Club and the Retired Teachers organization. Gay’s faith in Christ anchored her beliefs and enabled her to be a source of encouragement and optimism to others. She strove to find the good in everything and brought beauty to life through her poetry, friendships and love of family. Gay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wilbur (Bill) Perrin, her sisters Margaret Smith, Virginia Bell, Joy Rice and Faith Blumenfeld, her brother Jack Marsh, and beloved brothers-in-law. She is survived by her sister Rees Wilcox, sister-in-law Ruby Marsh, her daughters Faith Perrin, Beth (Jim) Johnson, and son Jon (Pamela) Perrin, her grandchildren Ashling (Tim) Quinn, Conor McNally, Caroline (Kevin) Seebacher, Owen Johnson, Emma (Steven Mahr) Perrin and Lara Perrin. She was the proud great-grandmother of Declan Quinn and Ada Seebacher. She had many beloved nieces and nephews. Gay had many special friends, church family and former coworkers that she loved. The family would like to thank Holzer Hospice nurses, aides, and special caregivers Patty Hindy and Sharon Castle for care in Gay’s last few weeks. Also, thank you to special friends who enabled Gay to get out and about once she was unable to drive. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Congregational Church this summer, at a date to be announced. If desired, memorial contributions can be sent to the Republican Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Theresa Philpott, 107 W. Chelsea Dr., Cynthiana, KY 41031, by check payable to Republican Christian Church Cemetery Fund. This was Gay’s childhood church, and some of her ancestors are buried there.