Frankie Perry

Frankie L. Perry, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague, passed away on January 22, 2025, in her home with family and her black Labrador, Quincy. Frankie had a profound impact on so many people throughout her lifetime professionally and personally; a life well lived.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:30 am at St. Michael's & All Angel's Episcopal Church, 601 Montano Road NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107.

Frankie was born in Atchison, Kansas on November 18, 1934, daughter of the late John C. Gutzman and Frankie L. Gutzman (Sinker) who were farmers during the Depression and Dust Bowl. Her parents traveled to Michigan to find work at an auto factory in Flint, Michigan. This experience and her faith shaped Frankie's values and her life.

After graduating from Flint Northern High School, Frankie earned her Nursing Diploma from Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1952. It was there Frankie met her lifelong best friend, Mary Buchanan Wolski, she fondly referred to as, my best friend, Mary. Later, Frankie went on to earn her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan.

Frankie devotedly served Hurley Medical Center, Flint, Michigan for nearly 30 years. Her enthusiasm and steadfast efforts were instrumental in helping Hurley Medical Center become a healthcare leader. As an administrator who came from the ranks of nursing, she brought unique talents to the hospital which led to improving patient care. Her support of medical education and research, in particular, helped Hurley grow into a Regional Referral Center, one of the largest and most specialized healthcare institutions in the area.

In addition to her hospital experience, Frankie served as Executive Vice President of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) in Chicago, Illinois. She took pride in her team of young professionals, mentoring and motivating them to a higher level of achievement in their personal and professional lives. Frankie was sought out as a healthcare consultant nationally and internationally with engagements in Cairo, Egypt, Doha, Qatar and Mumbai, India among others.

Frankie found great joy in sharing Chicago, the city she loved, with family and friends. She had an incredible work ethic, but she also knew how to have fun. Each family member cherishes memories with Frankie exploring museums, restaurants, theatres, shopping, pub crawls, and watching the Chicago Cubs while trying to keep up with her walking the streets of Chicago.

Frankie retired from ACHE in 1994, but continued to learn, connect, and mentor professionals making invaluable contributions to the healthcare community. Through her years of experience, she valued and acknowledged the strong, competent community of executives that networked, mentored, and were always available for each other.

Frankie was honored as the first female recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives 2011 Lifetime Service Award, for her years of dedicated service to healthcare.

After retirement, Frankie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to live with her daughter Kristine Gracey (Bill), and their children Scott and Lauren. She enjoyed watching volleyball games, movies, challenging Lauren to Scrabble and watching Scott play baseball at La Cueva, UNM, and wherever Minor League Baseball took him. Family now traveled to New Mexico, to experience a variety of adventures Frankie had to offer, but most importantly, the long in-depth conversations with "Gram".

Passionate about public health, Frankie joined the Faculty of the University of New Mexico in 2007, and continued teaching Healthcare Management through Fall Semester of 2024. She shared her vast experience and wisdom, while connecting and mentoring healthcare professionals. Frankie published several books and articles on Healthcare Management, always striving to improve leadership and ultimately patient care.

Although Frankie experienced many accolades in her career, she took the most pride in loving and supporting her family and friends. She was proud to have four adult children married to their original spouses with strong work ethics. Frankie loved her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren deeply, whether cheering them on at a sporting event, editing a college application, career counseling, providing a listening ear and heartfelt wisdom, providing honest criticism, and always believing in the best of each person. Her son Tony coined the guiding phrase, "What would Momma do?"

To be with Frankie was to feel like you were the most important person in the room. She had an extraordinary ability to make others feel valued, cared for, and special. Her unwavering attention and support were a gift to anyone fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy as a mother, grandmother, friend, colleague, and mentor will forever remain in the hearts of those lives she touched.

Frankie will be greatly missed by those she left behind.

She is survived by her four children, Tony Perry (Laurie) of Grand Blanc, Michigan, Leeann Saputo (Russell) of East Jordan, Michigan, Mark Perry (Dorothy) of Boyne City, Michigan, and Kristine Gracey (Bill) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Mc Burney, Brooke Perry, Toni Perry (Marc), Russell Saputo II (Marisa), Catherine Simkins (Brad), Nicholas Saputo (Kim), Kara Borisch (Matt), Brett Perry, Scott Gracey (Elizabeth) and Lauren Gracey (Joshua); 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Gutzman (Artie) of St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Two nieces, Jill Datsko (Terry) Clinton of TWP, Michigan, Amy Gutzman of St. Clair Shores, Michigan and nephew, the late John Gutzman and 6 great-nieces and nephews.

Special gratitude to Dr. Elyce Sheehan, Dr. Paul Andre, Dr. Kathy Chang and the UNM ER Staff for providing compassionate care to Frankie and invaluable assistance to our family, making Frankie's transition home possible.

In honor of Frankie's memory and legacy, love each other deeply, be a critical thinker, strive to be better and always believe in the best of each person.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to: 

• St. Michael’s All Angels- https://www.stmichaelsabq.org/ (Donate yellow button at bottom of the page.)

• Hurley Foundation- https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/frankielperry 

• KUNM- National Public Radio- https://www.kunm.org › tags › donate  

Happy Thought

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson