Ione Joan Perry passed as she wanted: Surrounded by family, bathed in a sea of love, safe in the knowledge that her family would be OK. Sad… but OK.
Born and raised in Red Bank, Ione was the second of four children to Edith (Albert) and Charles Blake. Family was very important to Ione and she always made sure family knew they were loved.
She married the love of her life Ernest “June” Perry March 17, 1962. They settled in Tinton Falls and raised three boys.
Ione was known all over for her amazing cakes and cookies. She often told stories of the assembly line she set up in her tiny kitchen to make sure everyone in the family got a box of holiday cookies. Weddings, baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, it didn’t matter the occasion, Ione would make a cake – and not just any cake, but the best cake you ever tasted.
She went back to work after her boys were a little older and worked administration for a few companies, settling and retiring from DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services) in 1997.
She and June loved to travel, they made sure to have a family vacation every year, and brought many nieces and nephews with them. They also made time for a trip just for themselves and had many wonderful adventures – they did love to cruise!
She was predeceased by her father Charles “Pop Pops” Blake, her sister Wilma Pullings, her brother Charles Blake, her beloved husband June and her darling grandson Jack.
She is survived by her mom Edith; her sister Brenda; her sons, Erik, Mark and Tim; her daughters-in-law Rosaleen (Erik) and Erica (Mark); her wonderful grandchildren, Mekhi, Sarah, Scarlett, Madden and Mozart; and many nieces and nephews (far too many to mention individually by name but all know they were loved and cherished by her).
Visitation was held April 20 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A funeral Mass was held April 21 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls. All were invited to join the family for a reception following the burial service at Celestial Lodge #36 F & AM, Red Bank.
May the light of heaven shine upon her beautiful soul and may she rest in peace, Amen.
The article originally appeared in the May 25 – 31, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
