Barbara Lee Perry ("Babs")

Barbara Lee "Babs" Perry, 77, of Stevensville, Maryland, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 18, 1948, in San Francisco, California, Babs was the daughter of Lt. Colonel William J. Lee and Agnes D. Lee. As the daughter of an Army officer, she spent her childhood living in many places across the country before graduating as valedictorian from Regina Dominican High School in Chicago in 1966. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in English from The College of William & Mary in 1970. That same year, Babs married and started a family, eventually settling in Maryland, a place she called home for 47 years and grew to love deeply, especially the beauty of the water. Babs dedicated much of her career to the insurance industry, including many years at Nationwide and culminating at the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, from which she retired in 2004. Her early retirement marked the beginning of her most cherished role: grandmother. Caring for her granddaughters brought her immeasurable joy and fulfillment. A natural leader and community member, Babs generously gave her time and talents to many organizations. She held leadership positions with the Insurance Women of Maryland, the Kent Island Yacht Club, and volunteered her time as a mentor with Queen Anne’s County schools, sharing her wisdom and passion for helping others. Babs was an amazing cook, she enjoyed preparing and sharing meals with her family and friends. Her kitchen was always a welcoming place where laughter and stories were shared over delicious food and a good glass of wine. She and her husband, Lamar, shared a love for boating and spent countless happy days together on the Chesapeake Bay, embracing the beauty and peace of life on the water. Babs is survived by her beloved husband of 40 years, Lamar Perry; her son, Chad Atwell and his wife, Amanda; her daughter, Kimberly Atwell Drinker; her granddaughters, Kendall and Avery Drinker; her brother, Bill Lee and his wife, Mary; and many dear friends and extended family. She will be remembered for her warmth and humor, her unwavering support for those she loved, her gift for storytelling, and her ability to bring people together around the table. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, located at 106 Shamrock Rd, Chester MD 21619. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Babs’ honor to Compass Regional Hospice (https://compassregionalhospice.org ).

Barbara Lee Perry ("Babs")

June 18, 1948 - June 28, 2025