Mary Perry is a fixture of downtown Hanover. From behind the cashier’s desk at Stinson’s Village Store, she has advised decades of Dartmouth students on their lives and provided a cheerful face for those purchasing a variety of goods at the store.
Last August, Perry was forced to cut back her hours at Stinson’s after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Perry told students and community members about her diagnosis, and soon outpourings of support began flowing in, from a bouquet of flowers from Alpha Delta fraternity to a flow of well-wishers coming into the store.
Chiara Santiago ’15 frequents Stinson’s and has become close with Perry during her time at the College. When she learned of Perry’s illness, Santiago said that she wished she could do something to help.
Before long, Santiago had an idea. In early November, she launched a 90-day IndieGoGo campaign to provide funding for Perry’s medical bills. The campaign, titled “We Love You, Mary,” drew support from 145 individuals and groups in total.
“It was very successful,” Perry said of the campaign. “I was very, very shocked and overwhelmed by what everyone did for me.”
From its launch on Nov. 4 through the campaign’s closing on Jan. 3, $7,110 of the campaign’s $8,000 goal was raised. Donations poured in, with some coming in small amounts from students and community members, while other donations were larger — a member of the Class of 1984 contributed $900, while AD put $500 toward supporting Perry.
Numerous Greek houses and undergraduate societies contributed funds or held fundraisers as well, Santiago said. Theta Delta Chi fraternity, Psi Upsilon fraternity and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority hosted an event from which part of the proceeds went to Perry, Santiago said.
The event, held on Psi U’s lawn, raised $1,200 toward the IndieGoGo campaign for Perry, Kappa philanthropy chair Kylie Flanagan ’15 said.
“We are involved in a variety of local community organizations, but when there’s a member of our community who so many people know and love and who interacts with Dartmouth community members on a daily basis, it’s an obvious thing to get involved,” Flanagan said.
The idea came about when Flanagan heard about the IndieGoGo campaign and emailed Kappa members to alert them to Perry’s situation. Upon receiving an outpouring of feedback, Flanagan said that she contacted the Theta Delt philanthropy chair and began planning an event.
“I think it was very clear what a positive impact on the community Mary had that everyone was willing to jump on board,” Flanagan said.
Perry praised the support she received from the Greek system as a whole.
“I can’t thank them enough,” she said. “They just pop by the store and ask how I’m doing and if there’s anything they can do for me.”
Perry, herself a Hanover native and Hanover High School alumna, has worked for the Stinson family since the late 1970s, she said. She has primarily worked as a cashier at a variety of stores owned by the Stinson family, including a general store that was on Route 120 and the current village store in downtown Hanover.
“I’m fairly reserved and quiet, I think, but apparently not when I’m at the store,” she said. “It’s a different story because people really bring out me being able to speak openly with everyone.”
Perry said that one of the highlights of her job is talking with students and Hanover locals who come into the store, often to purchase cigarettes, beer or other odds and ends.
Santiago said that Perry is “like a mother” for many at Dartmouth, particularly those students who frequent Stinson’s. Perry is good at listening to problems in students’ lives, Santiago said, which are myriad due to the academic and social stresses of Dartmouth. Perry also has a 19-year-old son.
Although Perry has been forced to cut down her hours working at Stinson’s due to her cancer, she still frequently greets patrons entering the store.
On a typical day, Perry works at the cash register, orders new merchandise, stocks shelves and fills catering orders.
Perry said that the best part of her days are her interactions with students and community members.
The IndieGoGo campaign concluded with a dinner hosted by Panarchy undergraduate society, of which Santiago is a member. Many Panarchists were also closely involved in raising money for the IndieGoGo campaign. There, Perry was presented with a check for the money raised.
Perry is already undergoing chemotherapy, which she said she expects to last for about a year. After that time, Perry will likely require surgery to remove her tumor, she said, and then she will likely receive radiation treatment.
Perry’s treatment is ongoing at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
“I’m just so grateful for all the support and love that I’ve gotten,” she said. “It’s very hard to talk about. It’s very touching.”
