Anna Perry

Anna (Cattaneo) Perry, 70, of New Bedford, Mass., died unexpectedly August 3 at her home.

She was the wife of Robert E. Perry and the mother of Florence T. Perry of Newtown.

Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Teresa (Bortulizzi) Cattaneo. She had lived in Connecticut for 20 years, before moving in 1969 to New Bedford, where she was a communicant of St John the Baptist Church.

Until motherhood interrupted her studies, she was enrolled at Fitchburg State College. After completing her parenting responsibilities, when she was well into her 50s, she reentered the college world – receiving her degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth).

She had worked as a counselor for The Former Harbor Inc., a program for special needs adults, until retiring in 1993.

Mrs Perry had a passion for gardening and politics. She was a founding member of the Republican Club of Southeastern, Mass., and, for the past three years, chairwoman of the New Bedford Republican City Committee.

Besides her husband and daughter, she is survived by three other daughters, Deborah A. Perry of New Bedford, Elizabeth Yarusso of Putnam Valley, N.Y., and Babette Scheer of Portland; a son, David F. Perry of Beauvais, France; a sister, Jennie Lorenzetti of Bristol; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated August 7 at St John the Baptist Church, New Bedford. Interment was in St John Cemetery, New Bedford.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Visiting Nurses Association, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA; or to St Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford, MA.

Arrangements were by the Aubertine-Lopes Funeral home, New Bedford.

The Newtown Bee         August 11, 2000