Janet “Jan” (Bailey) Perry was born Aug. 26, 1938, and passed away peacefully, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Jan was born in Potlatch, and spent the first years of her life moving to various fish hatcheries with her family. Ultimately, Jan’s family settled in Anacortes, Wash., where she lived most of her life.
Jan’s first true loves were her two daughters. Later, Jan met the love of her life, Ed Gilden, and spent her final 17 years feeling unconditionally loved.
Jan was very active in Anacortes, surrounded by many friends. She loved meeting every morning at the park with the dog walkers. She was part of Finders Keepers and was very active in the United Methodist Church. Jan loved all her neighbors and always was a gracious hostess to whomever stopped by. She enjoyed going to the theater and music concerts, especially when her daughter, Jill was singing.
Later in life, she moved to Pullman, where she joined the Simpson United Methodist Church. As her faith was so important to her, Jan started a Bible study in Pullman. She also enjoyed joining Jill and her family and friends in countless dinner parties, where she and Ed were considered everyone’s surrogate mom and dad.
Jan is preceded in death by parents, Udell and Mabel Bailey; and her sister, Carol Lappin. Jan is survived by her daughters, Jill (Nielsen) Freuden and husband Shaun, and Jane (Nielsen) Phelps and husband Dean. She is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Those who knew Jan described her as a very generous and sweet lady. We will miss her very much.
