Romi Perkins

Romi Myers Perkins, age 82, died peacefully in her sleep on February 13. Fun loving, high-spirited and lovely, Romi used all her talents. She traveled widely and adventurously. At Chagrin Falls High School, she was editor of her high school yearbook and homecoming queen. She attended Ohio State University at Cincinnati, and graduated from Goddard College. In her life, she was many things: she joined the butcher's union, repaired watches, judged the federal Duck Stamp competition, and authored a best selling cookbook on wild game. She was an excellent shot and an accomplished water colorist. She could upholster a couch, make a sole souffle, shoot a double at grouse, and discuss the subtleties of a painting by Thomas Eakins, all while looking like a million bucks. She contributed greatly to the success of the Orvis Company and to the preservation of Robert Todd Lincoln's Vermont home, Hildene. She brought glamour and a sense of fun to her many memorable parties and was quintessentially American: generous-minded, scornful of petty conventions, confident in her own abilities, inventive and open. Romi Perkins is survived by five children, Penelope Mesic, Melissa McAvoy, Leigh H. Perkins, Jr., David Perkins, and Molly Perkins, a sister, Barbara Myers Dupree of Cleveland, OH , eleven grandchildren, and to her delight, a great grand child, although she complained that she was far too young to be a great grandmother. By example she taught them -- and many others who knew her-- an invaluable lesson: use your skills and enjoy your life! The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to one or more of the following organizations: Friends of Hildene, P.O. Box 377, Manchester, VT 05254; National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036; Thomas University, 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, GA 31792. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30pm on Saturday, February 25 at St. Christopher's By-the-River Episcopal Church, 7601 Old Mill Rd, Gates Mills, OH 44040. Interment, Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, OH.


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