Former Kalispell home-ec teacher to turn 100

Hundreds of young women and men remember the friendly, practical home economics teacher, Naomi Perry.

Mrs. Perry taught home economics in Kalispell’s Junior High School for 22 years, from 1959 to 1981. Many of her students may not be too surprised to know that as she nears age 100, Mrs. Perry still appreciates a balanced meal, a well-made bed and a carefully crafted button hole.

Naomi Clark was born in Farmington, Utah, on Dec. 23, 1919. She began learning about home economics at a very young age. As the eldest daughter of 13 children, Naomi was expected to help with all of the family’s domestic tasks. They baked bread every day. Naomi’s mother taught her to darn socks, make and mend clothes, tend her younger brothers and sisters, and perform a multitude of other tasks to help manage the large family.

At a young age, Naomi fostered a burning desire to get a good education. She wanted to develop practical skills she could use to raise her family, serve the less fortunate and be self-reliant. To achieve these goals, she chose to be a teacher and believed she could improve the world by teaching young women and men good manners and practical homemaking and provident living skills.

Former students who have visited or corresponded with Mrs. Perry over the years remembered “what a kind, patient teacher she was” and some of the lessons she taught. For example, a former student said she can remember Mrs. Perry teaching students how to properly make a bed using “hospital corners.” This former student said that after more than 50 years, she still makes the bed the way Mrs. Perry taught her. Other former students commented that Mrs. Perry:

- “Patiently taught us how to make our own clothes, including creating button holes, but she was never satisfied with my button holes.”

- “Taught how important it is to keep a list of tasks to accomplish and warned, ‘Without a list, one will go through life listless.’”

- “Showed us how to properly set a table and prepare balanced, healthy meals and other practical skills which would come in handy when it came time to manage our own families.”

- Taught me how to make white sauce.”

- “Inspired me to sew. What a gift!”

- “Was such a kind person.”

- “Expected us to practice good manners, even in class.”

The important impact Mrs. Perry had on her students was reinforced this past summer when she was admitted to the hospital. At age 99, Naomi fell in June and again in August. She broke both of her legs and had to have two separate surgeries within two months. Despite her age, Naomi recovered remarkably well, but her recovery was painful and challenging. While in the hospital, three of her nurses recognized her as their former teacher. Each of them shared sincere, heartfelt comments about the influence Mrs. Perry had on them. Two of the nurses cared for Naomi on the same shift during her last day in the hospital. She was delighted to meet them again and expressed deep gratitude to them for caring for her.

As Naomi approaches her 100th birthday, she speaks often of her bounteous blessings including her family, her life, her faith and her career. She is happy to be able to live at home and deeply appreciates those who care for her. She attributes her long life to being kind, respecting others and living a good clean life. She still has a sense of humor and occasionally comments, “If you live long enough, you’re going to get old.”

Naomi and her late husband, Thomas Perry, raised five children and have 26 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. She loves each of her children and grandchildren and often looks over a detailed spreadsheet and pictures of them and comments, “My, they are good-looking kids.”

She feels greatly blessed to know so many of her students have lived honorable, successful lives. And, after all these years, Mrs. Perry still values good manners, a nicely set table and skillfully prepared food with a bit of color on her plate.

Should any former students or friends desire to reach Mrs. Naomi Perry, they are invited to send a card or note to her at 222 N. Foy’s Lake Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901