Jennifer Robinson-Perry

Jennifer Lynn Robinson-Perry, 51, died Monday, August 19, 2013, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colo. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013, at the River Church, 860 Plymouth Dr. Cremation will occur in Durango. Death resulted from a 20-year battle with leukemia and graft VS host disease. Having survived two bone marrow transplants and other complications, she battled cancer to the end of her life. She was lovingly surrounded by her family and delivered to the arms of Jesus Christ. Jennifer was welcomed into heaven and the angels have rejoiced in her presence. Jennifer was born August 4, 1962, in Montrose, Colo., the daughter of Phillip Robinson and Anne Strawn. She grew up in Durango, and attended school in Ignacio and Durango, then graduated from Durango High School and attended Fort Lewis College, where she earned a degree in accounting, and a minor in music. While in high school Jennifer played clarinet in the band. In 1990- 1994 she worked at K-mart and “The Nut Shack” in the Durango Mall. There she met her future husband, James F. Perry, who owned Durango Hobbies in the mall. On April 22, 1994, James and Jennifer were married. Though James knew Jennifer was diagnosed with leukemia, he did not want her to go through her illness alone; he honored this bond through marriage and they vowed to spend their lives together. She was an avid baker and loved to make candies and confections, which were enjoyed by all who knew her. Jennifer enjoyed creating and making beautiful crafts and was a talented artist. Jennifer loved children, and she enjoyed many memorable years spoiling her nieces and nephews by playing games and watching cartoons and Disney movies. She was a very caring and loving person -- young at heart -- and would put others’ needs before her own. She used her special ability with children and taught Sunday school for the churches she attended throughout her life. Jennifer worked at Mercy Medical Center in the finance accounting department for more than seven years. Through Mercy she supported many organizations such as the Relay for Life and the Mercy Foundation and many other activities that Mercy supported. She was known by many people at Mercy, and many of them visited her during the last week of her life. Jennifer was an active bowler with the women’s bowling league; her team name was “Mine’s in the Gutter.” She received a plaque and she was put into the bowling hall of fame for her contributions to the women’s and youth bowling leagues. Even as her health was declining, she made a point to keep active as long as she could in the youth bowling league. She was an active member of New Hope church, and a good servant of the Lord through the church by supporting and participating in many activities and functions sponsored and supported by New Hope. She loved her church family as they loved her, and she will be truly missed by the congregation, especially for the lovely name tags she would create for each service. She loved to spend time with her family and friends, and Jennifer cherished her nieces and nephews. Her best friend, Jan Wesley, who was adopted by the Perry family, considered herself a sister to Jennifer. Her family regarded her as the matriarch and leader of the family, as she never took sides when helping reconcile family disagreements. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, James F. Perry of Bayfield, and her father Phillip and Theora Robinson of Gunnison, CO, her mother Anne and Richard Strawn of Carbondale, IL; sister Cathy Robinson Runyan of Hobbs, NM, brother Mark Strawn of Carbondale, IL, stepsister Colleen and Tom Jackson of Truckee, CA, her nieces and nephew: Krista Barnes, Charlotte Barnes, Priscilla Barnes, and Michael Barnes, and CJ Wood; siblings: Joshua and Isaiah Wood, Ryan and Caleb Barnes, Aunt Bonnie and Mike Wright of Carbondale, IL, Uncle Frank Owen Jr. of Carbondale, IL, grandfather Frank Owen of Carbondale, IL, stepsister Elaine Gannan of Montrose, CO, stepbrother Ken Follman of Gunnison, CO, Aunt Peggy Walker of Gulf Breeze, FL, Uncle Don and Jackie Robinson of Thornton, CO, and many other nephews and nieces. Contributions may be made to the Mercy Foundation in her name, as well as the youth bowling league at Rolling Thunder Lanes in Ignacio.