Law School Mourns the Passing of Benefactor Dorothy Marie Perry

Dorothy Marie Perry, who with her husband Michael Perry ’64 made significant contributions to the Law School and other programs at the University, passed away Dec. 8 at the age of 79.

Born in Starbuck, Minnesota, and raised on a farm near Donnelly, Perry became a registered nurse and had a long and distinguished career in the field, working in labor and delivery at Fairview Hospital, as a public health nurse for Morrison County, and as a health facility evaluator for the state of Minnesota.

After their marriage in 1967, Dorothy and Mike Perry settled in Little Falls, Minnesota, and raised four children. After retirement, they moved to a condominium on the West Bank of the University, which allowed them to enjoy plays at the Guthrie Theater, Gopher sports, and other University events. A lifelong learner, Dorothy earned her health coaching certificate through the University’s Center for Spirituality and Health and became an advanced care planning volunteer with Honoring Choices.

Over the years, the Perrys have been remarkably generous donors to the Law School and the wider University as well, contributing significant funds to Minnesota Law, the Center for Spirituality and Healing, Intercollegiate Athletics, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, four children, two grandchildren, and many other relatives. The family remembers her as generous, compassionate, funny, a dedicated Golden Gopher fan, and a great lover of birds and nature. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private funeral and inurnment will be held at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. The family suggests that “a random act of kindness or giving books to children would be great memorials.”