Philanthropist Cynthia Perry celebrates birthday

Cynthia Perry, of Bay Hill, celebrated her 80th birthday in style.

Perry, whose birthday was Feb. 22, is a well-known philanthropist in West Orange County. She began her career as a volunteer as a founding member of the West Orange Junior Service League. Her volunteering continued with the Payne Stewart Charity Golf tournament for The First Academy that raised more than $1 million for an athletic complex.

She has served on the Orlando Health Foundation Board for more than 25 years. She and her husband, Bill, donated the Perry Pavilion at Dr. Phillips Hospital. This 12-room addition is for families from out of town who have a loved one in the hospital and need a place to stay. They have also donated chapels and private rooms for families in many of the hospitals associated with Orlando Health.

Cindy Perry is still volunteering a few times a week for Shepherd’s Hope and Orlando Health. She is a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church and believes she has been blessed by God to bless others. 

The Perrys also founded the Quality Assurance Institute, a business for IT professionals. They developed and grew this company for more than 30 years before selling it in 2008.

The Perrys have been married for more than 50 years. They have three children: Scott Perry, Jeff Perry and Deb Perry Melnick (Tim). They also have four grandchildren: Justin Melnick, Ryan Melnick, Carly Melnick and Paige Perry.