I had the pleasure of seeing Lynn Perry this particular Friday afternoon at Hamm's Art Supply on Central Avenue. I remember it like it was yesterday. She told me she was getting married the next day, and I wished her many blessings and much happiness on her impending marriage. She was glowing. We hugged and went our separate ways. I found out a couple of days later, that Lynn was killed in a car accident that Friday night. I realized that I might have been the last person Lynn ever had a conversation with... (it was long before cell phones). I felt so terrible for her family and fiance. I was attending SPJC, taking interior design and architectural drawing classes and had stopped in Hamm's to have a copy of a blueprint made for my class project. Lynn was purchasing some fine-tipped paint brushes. Said she loved painting. I don't remember the exact date, but it might have been 1973 or 1974. Wish I could remember for certain.
What I learned that day, was life is too short and tomorrow is not a given... you need to enjoy every day.
Hi Melissa. Thanks for sharing this memory meeting of Lynn Perry. How tragic! You're right life is too short and we need to be present for we never know who we might touch and who's life we might impact or who may impact our life such as in this very story. It touched my heart. Hope to see you at the reunion. Vicki Underhill
I remember that memory you had, Melissa. Thanks for sharing. It still breaks my heart when I remember your beautiful contact with Lynn. She is truly in the arms of God!
I believe Lynn passed in January 1974 as her mother called to let me know out of concern since my father had passed in October 1973. It was a tragic violent accident created by kids that had stolen a car. Lynn was a talented seamstress and her mother gave me her sewing basket which I still have and use today. A beautiful remembrance of a beautiful young woman.
Lynn was born Sept 30, 1954 and passed away Jan 25, 1974
Her grave site is in Memorial Park where her family rests beside her. Mr. Perry, as I called him in my younger years & David in later years as a fellow pharmacist (owned The Prescription Shop), passed away in 2014. Brian, her brother passed away in Jan 2019 and Mrs. Perry (Margaret) passed away in June 2019. I lost contact with both David & Margaret many years ago. After memories of Lynn's tragic death surfaced and remembering her service, I researched Memorial Park, only to discover her family is with her.
I have fond memories of Lynn & her family from Bay Vista to Bay Point to Lakewood. My memory falls me if we went to Ladd N' Lass kindergarten together. At Lakewood, Lynn & I were on the swim team together. We had some very grueling and cold 5am practices at Eckerd College...the pool was NOT heated. The team practice was switched to North Shore pool (heated...Ahhh). We both lost several pairs of contact lenses, forgetting that we had them in. Lynn glided so easily through the water. Many great memories.
We both worked at the Plaza theater, pushing popcorn, candy & hotdogs, and the ticket counter. It took me YEARS before I could eat popcorn or hotdogs....just the smell was.. well you know what I mean. We LOVED Wolfie's cheesecake. We would buy a WHOLE cheesecake & eat it on our break or be stuffing our faces behind the counter in between customers.
We loved Biff Burger onion rings!
We played lots of tennis together, along with her mother. Mrs. Perry was an avid tennis player and taught me a lot about the finer points of the game. She was a Phys Ed teacher....Mrs Perry, was one of the reasons I initially wanted to be a Phys Ed teacher. Of course, my lifepath profession changed.
I had forgotten that Lynn liked to sew. I truthfully can't remember if we were in the same home ec class, but I have a memory of Lynn trying to help me make a dress from a pattern (my mother & grandmother could sew anything, but I just didn't get it). In the end, Lynn couldn't help me either. I couldn't even fit my arm into the sleeve hole!!
Mrs. Perry's father owned the St. Petersburg Map & Blueprint Company which was located downtown. I remember going there several times with Lynn & her mom during our younger years. I'm sure that Lynn's talent and love for painting had roots from her grandfather.
Many great times shared in a short 19 years. Remember her smile and laugh.
Melissa Sparks
I had the pleasure of seeing Lynn Perry this particular Friday afternoon at Hamm's Art Supply on Central Avenue. I remember it like it was yesterday. She told me she was getting married the next day, and I wished her many blessings and much happiness on her impending marriage. She was glowing. We hugged and went our separate ways. I found out a couple of days later, that Lynn was killed in a car accident that Friday night. I realized that I might have been the last person Lynn ever had a conversation with... (it was long before cell phones). I felt so terrible for her family and fiance. I was attending SPJC, taking interior design and architectural drawing classes and had stopped in Hamm's to have a copy of a blueprint made for my class project. Lynn was purchasing some fine-tipped paint brushes. Said she loved painting. I don't remember the exact date, but it might have been 1973 or 1974. Wish I could remember for certain.
What I learned that day, was life is too short and tomorrow is not a given... you need to enjoy every day.
Maybe someone else remembers the date?
Victoria (Vicki) Underhill (Lippincott)
Hi Melissa. Thanks for sharing this memory meeting of Lynn Perry. How tragic! You're right life is too short and we need to be present for we never know who we might touch and who's life we might impact or who may impact our life such as in this very story. It touched my heart. Hope to see you at the reunion. Vicki Underhill
Shelly Zbrudzewski (English)
I remember that memory you had, Melissa. Thanks for sharing. It still breaks my heart when I remember your beautiful contact with Lynn. She is truly in the arms of God!
Lynn Goldrick (Goldrick)
I believe Lynn passed in January 1974 as her mother called to let me know out of concern since my father had passed in October 1973. It was a tragic violent accident created by kids that had stolen a car. Lynn was a talented seamstress and her mother gave me her sewing basket which I still have and use today. A beautiful remembrance of a beautiful young woman.
Bob Burke
Thank you Melissa for sharing this. My heart is heavy remembering my neighborhood grade school friend.
Brenda Hill (Hitt)
Lynn was born Sept 30, 1954 and passed away Jan 25, 1974
Her grave site is in Memorial Park where her family rests beside her. Mr. Perry, as I called him in my younger years & David in later years as a fellow pharmacist (owned The Prescription Shop), passed away in 2014. Brian, her brother passed away in Jan 2019 and Mrs. Perry (Margaret) passed away in June 2019. I lost contact with both David & Margaret many years ago. After memories of Lynn's tragic death surfaced and remembering her service, I researched Memorial Park, only to discover her family is with her.
I have fond memories of Lynn & her family from Bay Vista to Bay Point to Lakewood. My memory falls me if we went to Ladd N' Lass kindergarten together. At Lakewood, Lynn & I were on the swim team together. We had some very grueling and cold 5am practices at Eckerd College...the pool was NOT heated. The team practice was switched to North Shore pool (heated...Ahhh). We both lost several pairs of contact lenses, forgetting that we had them in. Lynn glided so easily through the water. Many great memories.
We both worked at the Plaza theater, pushing popcorn, candy & hotdogs, and the ticket counter. It took me YEARS before I could eat popcorn or hotdogs....just the smell was.. well you know what I mean. We LOVED Wolfie's cheesecake. We would buy a WHOLE cheesecake & eat it on our break or be stuffing our faces behind the counter in between customers.
We loved Biff Burger onion rings!
We played lots of tennis together, along with her mother. Mrs. Perry was an avid tennis player and taught me a lot about the finer points of the game. She was a Phys Ed teacher....Mrs Perry, was one of the reasons I initially wanted to be a Phys Ed teacher. Of course, my lifepath profession changed.
I had forgotten that Lynn liked to sew. I truthfully can't remember if we were in the same home ec class, but I have a memory of Lynn trying to help me make a dress from a pattern (my mother & grandmother could sew anything, but I just didn't get it). In the end, Lynn couldn't help me either. I couldn't even fit my arm into the sleeve hole!!
Mrs. Perry's father owned the St. Petersburg Map & Blueprint Company which was located downtown. I remember going there several times with Lynn & her mom during our younger years. I'm sure that Lynn's talent and love for painting had roots from her grandfather.
Many great times shared in a short 19 years. Remember her smile and laugh.
Lynn Goldrick (Goldrick)
Thank you Brenda for providing more about Lynn.