Obituary of Margaret Perlich

A loving wife, a mother, an engineer, a chemistry teacher, a devout member of the Catholic church, a voracious reader, a competitive Mahjong player, an avid golfer…..all describe Margaret "Muggs" Perlich, who left us on August 19, 2016. Muggs was born to Margaret and Russell Waters in Allouez, Michigan on October 15, 1924. The only child of a school teacher and a copper miner, she excelled in school, graduating as valedictorian of her class at Calumet High. She went on to pursue a degree in chemical engineering at Michigan Tech, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, one of the very few women in that degree program. College graduation meant a degree, a profession, and meeting and marrying the love of her life, Frank James Perlich. Frank called her "Buttercup" throughout their 62 years of marriage. They raised two sons; Frank James Junior and Jon Russell. Frank and Muggs moved to Tucson to be closer to their sons and families in the mid-1980's, moving to the foothills and joining Oro Valley Country Club. Upon retiring from teaching, Muggs took on a new role, that of grandmother, a role she loved. She and Frank doted on their five grandchildren. Muggs is preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and by her son, Frank Junior (FJ). She is survived by her son, Russ, his wife Mac, their three daughters Maggie (Richard) Perlich Blankley, Samantha and Molly, and by Frank James III (FJ)(Keely), his sister Amy, and their mother, Sharon. Muggs was loved by many and will be missed by even more. A celebration of her life will be held on September 17 at 1 PM at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with a reception following at Hacienda Del Sol. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Act One; www.act1az.org