Erma L. (Boogie) Perry, 81

Erma L. (Boogie) Perry, 81, passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2008 at the home of her nephew, George Eskridge, and his wife, Jenise, surrounded by family and friends.

Graveside services will be held for family members at Pinecrest Cemetery on Nov. 24, 2008, at 9 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch at noon at the Dover Community Hall for family and friends.

Boogie was born in Sandpoint on Feb. 2, 1927, and moved to Dover in 1935. She attended schools in Sandpoint and Dover and graduated from the 8th grade at the old Farmin School in 1941.

Her first full time job was working for Ships Service at Farragut Navel Training Center during World War II for a short time and then went to work at the old Eagle's Café in Sandpoint. She later went to work with her older sister Lillian (Sis), housekeeping for the Elliot Hotel and the A-1 motel.

Boogie also played guitar with "The Fender Benders" band at Hurschells Lighthouse in Hope with her older sister Zelma (Perry) Carter and brother-in-law Keith Carter and other musicians for several years.

In the 1960s, Boogie moved to Las Vegas, Nev., for a short time and then moved to Portland, Ore., where she and her sister Sis managed laundry and dry cleaning plants. After retiring in Portland, Boogie and her niece Suzie purchased a home in Laclede and then Boogie decided retirement wasn't that great and went to work for the U.S. Forest Service under the "Older American Program."

Boogie lived at her home in Laclede until her death.

Boogie was a talented musician who played several instruments "by ear," a skier, golfer, artist, handicrafter and general "handy lady" in performing her own home maintenance needs. In her younger years she was also a pitcher for the "Dover Girls" baseball team.

Boogie is survived by one sister-in-law, Dorothy (Glen) Perry of Post Falls, Idaho; and was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Erma (Hazel) Perry; three brothers, Darrell, Lyle and Glen; and three sisters, Viola, Lillian (Sis) Eskridge-Molt and Zelma Carter.

Boogie is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces.

She will be missed by her family and many friends, including that special group known as "The Dover Girls."

Family and friends at invited to sign Boogie's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.