Crawford-Perkins, Madelyn S., November 20, 2011. Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Madelyn S. Crawford-Perkins passed away on Nov. 20, 2011 at a local healthcare facility. She was born in Pinder, NB, Canada, the daughter of the late Charles and Alice (Yates) Stairs.
Madelyn graduated high school in Bangor and attended nursing school. She moved to Houlton, where she was a member of the Military Street Baptist Church and participated in the choir for many years.
On February 12, 1951, Madelyn was hired as the director of social activities for the Houlton Recreation Department. She initiated many projects for both youth and adults in Houlton, most notably the Houlton Peanut Carnival in 1955. After 28 years of service, Madelyn retired from the recreation department and married Russell Perkins in 1979, at which time they relocated to Ocala, Florida.
With her husband, Madelyn enjoyed traveling to numerous rallies around the country, setting up stations and teaching crafts to interested attendees. After her husband’s death in 2006, Madelyn came home to Houlton, spending the remainder of her days in the town she loved.
Madelyn is survived by her son, Robert F. Crawford and his wife, Judy, of Caribou. She also has two granddaughters, Mary Welch and her husband, Robert, of Katy, TX, Jennifer Rand and her husband, Michael, of Caribou. Madelyn has four great-grand-children, Nikki and Maggie Welch of Katy, TX, Eric Tilmont and Gabriel Rand of Caribou. Also surviving is Madelyn’s older sister, Christina Stairs of Stanley, NB, Canada; niece Pat Corey and her husband, Murray, of Nackawic, NB, Canada; nephew, Keith Stairs and his wife, Lorna, of Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada. She also leaves behind four stepchildren, Helen Perkins of Gig Harbor, WA, Judy (Perkins) Bologna and her husband, Tony, of Warner, NH, Bruce Perkins and his wife, Mary, of Tilton, NH, Russell “Bill” Perkins and his wife, Claudia, of Sebastopol, CA. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Russell Perkins; sister, Leona Munro of Nackawic, NB, Canada, and her husband, Austin; brother, Delmont Stairs of Southampton, NB and his wife, Joleen; nephew, Laurence Stairs of Grayling, MI; and brother-in-law, Bige Stairs.
Friends may call at the Dunn Funeral Home 10:30 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at 12 noon with Rev. Randall Burns officiating. Gifts may be made in Madelyn’s memory to the Madigan Estates Activity Fund, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.