Elizabeth Carver (Perkins) McKay, 94, died Friday evening at Mary Elizabeth Nursing Center.
Born September 18, 1910 in Somerville, MA, she was the daughter of Cora (Hutchinson) Carver and William Reuben Carver and was the sister of William K. Carver. Elizabeth grew up in Westford, MA and attended Westford Schools, the Rogers Hall Finishing School in Lowell, MA and Connecticut College for Women in New London.
In 1933, Elizabeth wed George C. Perkins of Springfield, MA and they resided and raised their children in Longmeadow, MA.
Elizabeth was very active in civic affairs in the Springfield area. Her affiliations include: President of the Junior League of Springfield, President of the Springfield Girls Club, Community Chest (United Way of Greater Springfield), 1st Woman on Executive Budget Committee, Pioneer work in Adult Mental Health, Past Member of the Belmont Garden Club, Friends of Boston Sympathy, Member and Past President of Honorary Matrons of M.I.T., Past Member of Longmeadow Country Club and Colony Club of Springfield.
In 1968, after the death of George Perkins, Elizabeth married Walter McKay of Belmont, MA where they lived until recently when they moved to Mystic.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Walter McKay of Mystic, her daughter Patricia P. Martini and her husband E. Joseph Martini of Mystic, a son David C. Perkins and his wife Olga Labella of Mystic, a daughter, Elizabeth P. Nichols and her husband Robert of Middlebury, CT and a stepson, Walter McKay Jr. and his wife Patricia Schindler of Wayland, MA and a stepdaughter Willa Dawson of Seattle, WA.
Elizabeth decided upon the arrival of her first grandchild that she preferred not to be called “Grandma”, instead she adopted the name “Bonnie”. Her children and grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “Bon Bon”.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, David Wakeman of Mystic, Peter Wakeman of Narragansett, RI, Andrew Wakeman SanDiego, CA, Bethany Perkins-Ryan of Mystic, Brittany (Perkins) Plaus of Springfield, MA, Jennifer Withington of Plymouth, MA, Charles Mahall of Douglas, MA Meredith McKay of FL, and Leda Nornang of New York, NY, and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be private for the family. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic is assisting the family.