Elizabeth H Wickman McGraw Perkins' Obituary
Elizabeth Wickman McGraw Perkins , aged 98, of Clearwater passed away peacefully at her home on June 24, 2016. She was born in Winnetka, Illinois and moved to Clearwater , Florida in 1943. Betty had numerous accomplishments throughout her long life. In 1940 she obtained her private pilot’s license and was a 2nd Lt. of the Civil Air Patrol of Birmingham, MI. She was very devout in her religion, and was member of the Church of Ascension and Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church. Elizabeth earned a B.S. in Psychology from Northwestern University and went on to be a co-owner of Gulf Coast Motor Line and Clearwater Transit.
Betty was also involved in many civic groups and organizations sitting on various boards and committee’s such as : The Elks, Clearwater Concert Association, YWCA, and YMCA, Casado, Abilities Guild, Clearwater Yacht Club, Old Clearwater Neighborhood Association, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Aviation Committee Chairman, Marin Committee Chairman, Florida Blood Services, Ninety-Nine’s, AOPA, Grasshoppers, Powder Puff Derby, Silver Wings, and Power Squadron.
She went on to achieve many accomplishments such as; Red Cross Safety Instructor and Boating Instructor, she taught in the city recreation program and the Marine Scouts. Betty was also a Charter member of the Ft. Harrison Questers, Donald Roebling Society, Clearwater Historical Society, Windjammers, Windlasses, Scout Eagle pact – Funded life, and a life member of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Betty travelled the world, sailing in Greece, Hawaii, Italy, Mediterranean, Ukraine and Russia. She was a member of the Rotary since 1989 with twenty years of perfect attendance. She attended international conventions in Australia, Orlando, Mexico, Calgary, Nice, Texas and Switzerland. She was a member of the Fellowship of Flying Rotarians and Yachting Rotarians. A member of Dunedin’s Fine Art Center and helped establish Wickman Library, containing a collection of books of the sea.
She also owned the Clearwater/Tarpon Springs KOA RV campground for 40 years.
She is predeceased by her first husband Carl Robert Wickman from 1941-1960, second husband Riley McGraw from 1964-1977, third husband Dave Perkins from 1989 to 2010.
Survivors include sons, Carl Victor Wickman(Sylvia), and Robin Leif Wickman(Janet) ; grandchildren, Eric Wickman, Walt Wickman(Jane), Kristin Dawson(Chris), Leann Mosher(John), Windy Wickman(Jose Borrego); great grandchildren, Carly Wickman, Katie Wickman, Ginger Wickman, Wyatt Wickman, Mady Mosher, Jack Brady Mosher, Randi Dawson, Dayne Dawson, Cody Dawson, Stella Borrego, Zachary Borrego and Robert Borrego.
She will be missed by all who knew her. A service is planned for Saturday July 9th at 1:30pm at the Church Of Ascension, 701 Orange Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. For online condolences please visit www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
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