Mary Gertrude (Beach) Perotti
Gertrude Perotti, of Ridgway, Co., born March 17, 1916 in Placerville, CO, died January 23, 2012 at Valley Manor in Montrose (her residence for the last 9 years).
She was born to Preston Beach and Dorothy (Meyers) Beach of Horsefly Mesa and resided there until she lived with her grandparents in Ridgway to attend High School. She then went to Gunnison to attend Western State College for 21/2 years before marrying Jerald Perotti of Dry Creek and moving to his family ranch to begin married life.
She and Jerald bought the ranch South of Ridgway in 1950, where they lived, rearing a family and tending the ranch until she moved to Montrose in January of 2003. She loved gardening and livestock, and was reportedly the oldest “milk maid” in Ouray County, only giving up the daily “pailing the bossies” in her late 80’s.
She was a 3rd generation newspaper reporter, working for the Grand Junction Sentinel, the Montrose Daily Press, the Ouray County Herald, and the Ridgway Sun at various times. Many residents will remember the frequent calls from “Gabby Gert” as she called herself.
She was a member of the Cow Creek Community Club, the Cattlemen’s Association, the Rebekahs (Mt. Hayden Lodge #54), Legends of the West, and a tireless worker for the Mosquito Abatement Program. She also appeared in scenes of “How the West Was Won” and “True Grit”, both of which were filmed in the Ridgway area. In her spare time she loved playing the harmonica, singing, and participating in local talent events as well as entertaining at Valley Manor in Montrose.
She and Jerald had three sons, Rolan (Patricia) Perotti of Illinois, Loran Perotti (deceased), and Orlan Perotti of Ridgway. She has three grandsons, Rick Perotti of Virginia, Chris Perotti of Colorado, and Joseph Perotti of Illinois. She also has three great grand-children, and two great, great grand-children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerald in 1992, and her middle son, Loran in 1974, as well as a brother and three sisters. She has a surviving brother, Leslie of Utah, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A viewing will be held at Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose on Sunday, January 29 from 4:00 to 7:00p.m at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at the Ridgway Community Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 30, with interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery, in Ouray. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co. 81402. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.
