Stacy Perper Methvin

Stacy Perper Methvin passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on January 25, 1957 in Philadelphia, PA, Stacy lived life to the fullest, and was taken from this earth far too soon. She was a scholar, athlete, wife, mother, business professional, community leader, mentor, philanthropist, and a much-loved friend to all who came to know her.

When son, Chip and future daughter-in-law, Caitlin first began dating in college, Chip sheepishly mentioned to Caitlin “You might want to know, my Mom is kind of a big deal”. After an internet search revealed her professional bio, Caitlin agreed “Wow, she really is a big deal”. Upon meeting Stacy, Caitlin realized that, yes, she’s a big deal, but not for the reasons she found on the internet. She quickly realized that Stacy was real, down to earth, approachable, friendly, outdoorsy, fun, engaging, and sincerely interested in each person she encountered.

Her education began at Philadelphia’s Springside School (now SCH Academy) where she excelled as a student, multi-sport athlete and leader and later served for many years as a Trustee.

She received her degree in Geology from Princeton University in 1979. Following graduation, Stacy began her professional career at Shell Oil Company in New Orleans; a career that spanned more than 33 years., during which she held various operational and management positions in the Upstream, Mid-Stream and Downstream segments of the business at locations around the world. Stacy started in Exploration & Production before earning senior and executive positions including President, Shell Louisiana E&P Company, President, Shell Deer Park Refining Company, President, Shell Pipeline Company LP, President, Shell Chemical LP, and VP, Strategy and Portfolio for the downstream business, VP, Refining Margin Optimization of Shell Oil Company and VP, Global Distribution of Shell Oil Company.

After retiring from Shell in 2013, Stacy offered her experience, knowledge and thoughtful advice from years in the energy field as an Independent Director on energy-related companies including Pioneer Natural Resources Co., Magellan Midstream Partners LP, Oil Tanking GmbH and xF Technologies, Inc.

While understandably proud of her long and distinguished business career, she was equally committed and passionate around the contributions of her time, talent, determination and philanthropy as a volunteer in support of important non-profit organizations in the Houston community and elsewhere. She served as the Council President, and then Board Chair of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (Houston). Stacy held numerous roles at the Houston Zoo including Board Chair. During her tenure as Chair, while navigating the challenges of dealing with a global pandemic, she provided guidance and influence in helping to transform the Zoo into a recognized leader in wildlife conservation. Stacy also served as a volunteer with the Memorial Hermann Health System as Trustee and later Board Chair.

Stacy approached every day as if she had FOMO (‘fear of missing out’), with a constant eye toward finding some activity, some opportunity for engagement with friends and colleagues and young people. She loved the outdoors, nature and animals (in her youth she spent a summer as a Park Ranger in Olympic National Park). She loved to travel with Dee and friends, especially enjoying multiple safaris in Africa and bicycle vacations to destinations in both the US and Europe. After retirement, she initiated annual journeys with her Mom, Janet, to distant points including Dubai, Spain, Brazil, and the Panama Canal.

In those rare moments when not on the move, she enjoyed watching sports of all kinds on TV or in-person, including Formula 1 racing, Little League World Series Baseball, Tour de France cycling, Grand Slam tennis tournaments and Houston Astros baseball.

Stacy was able to accomplish what so many women strive to achieve; successfully juggling career(s), while nurturing a family, and creating a warm, loving home life, establishing family traditions, such as hosting Thanksgiving for as many as 85 family and friends every year at her beloved river house or baking delicious būche de noël every Christmas for her extended family.

She is survived by her loving husband of almost 40 years, DeWitt “Dee” Methvin, son Chip Methvin (Caitlin), mother Janet B. Perper of Philadelphia, brothers Scott B. Perper (Anne), and Reid S. Perper (Maria Clara Tucci) and sister Laurie B. Perper and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Stacy was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Edwin Perper.

To those she leaves behind, Stacy Methvin will always be A Really Big Deal.

Stacy will be laid to rest in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana near her home on Cane River Lake. Visitation services will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, located at 848 Keyser Ave, Natchitoches, LA 71457, on the evening of March 31 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A eulogy service will be held at 6 PM in the funeral home chapel. Stacy will be laid to rest in a graveside service at St. Augustine Church Cemetery, located at 2262 LA HWY 484, Natchez, LA 71456, on Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM.  Friends and family are invited to a reception, at the conclusion of the graveside service, to be held at the Prud'homme-Rouquier House located at 446 Rue Jefferson, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

A Celebration of Stacy’s Life will take place in Houston, Texas at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The Houston Zoo Fund (https:/p2p.onecause.com/houstonzoofund/donate)

 Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council: CampHER: Empowering Girls in Nature Capital

Campaign (https://gssjc.org, or by phone at 713.292.0346 or 832.443.2114)

 Memorial Hermann Life Flight (https://memorialhermann.org/foundation/ways-you-

can-help/memorial-hermann-life-flight, or or by mail to 929 Gessner, Suite 2650,

Houston, TX 77024, or by phone at (713) 242-4400

 or to the charity of your choice.