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Mary Finegan Perrault
Mary Finegan Perrault
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Mary Perrault Obituary
Born in Jermyn, the daughter of the late Dr. John and Veronica Kelly Finegan, she was a graduate of Jermyn High School, Marywood College and attended Drexel University. Mary taught in the Philadelphia school system, was an assistant librarian for Scott Foresman Publishing and a researcher for Wentzel, Waghwright, Polster and Porre.
She taught English at the YMCA Community College, Chicago, and taught English at Cook County School of Nursing, Chicago, as well as at the Gelnhausen Military Occupational School, Germany. Mary finished her teaching career at Lakeland Elementary School, where she taught fourth grade for 30 years.
She was a charter member of the Jermyn Shade Tree Commission, Jermyn Events and a member of the Woman's Guild at Sacred Heart of Mary.
She was active in her parish, involved with the choir, a lector and religious education instructor. She also wrote columns for the Carbondale News. She was a reporter for the Jermyn Events Committee, interviewing the winners of the achievement awards. Mary was passionate about the Veteran's Day Memorial Park and its activities and was instrumental in obtaining funds for community improvements.
Her passions included her church, reading, gardening, teaching and pro-life. She loved nothing better than former students or parents of students approaching her years later, remembering something she taught or an experience she gave them.
She is survived by her five children, Jeffrey Perrault and Dr. Sungji Chai, Elmira, N.Y.; Margaret Cosgrove and husband, Peter, Moosic Lake; Helen Taylor and husband, Christopher, Minneapolis, Minn.; Susan Conway and husband, Jack, Dunmore; and Mark Perrault, Jermyn; brother, John Finegan, East Chester, N.Y.; sister, Bethe Evans and husband, Jack, Matawan, N.J.; grandchildren, Jeremy Perrault, Abigail and Henry Taylor; Grace, Peter, Molly Cosgove; Connor and Jillian Perrault; and Jackson Conway.
Mary's family would like to sincerely thank her devoted caregivers, Sandy, Carol, Diane, Marlene and Rena. Thank you to Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the compassionate care they gave our mother.
The funeral will be Saturday, 9:30 a.m., from the Battenberg Funeral Home, 363 Washington Ave., Jermyn, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn, celebrated by Monsignor David L. Tressler, pastor. Interment, Calvary Cemetery.
The viewing will be Friday from 4 to 7.
Memorial contributions may be made to Spring Break for Autism, P.O. Box 508, Dunmore, PA 18512.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bob Tomassoni
August 21, 2018
Dear Perrault family, So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She was a lovely lady. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
With sympathy,
Mary Golden
August 21, 2018
Just heard of Mary's passing! As a substitute teacher for 13 years at Lakeland, I came to know and love her for the wonderful person she was. I'm sure she touched so many lives in so many different ways.
Cynthia Straub
August 15, 2018
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of a great and gracious lady. Mrs. Perrault was my daughter's 4th grade Reading teacher at Lakeland Elementary School. She pushed the students, the parents and the school board beyond the comfort zone. She assigned "The Dairy of Anne Frank" to fourth graders. She fought tooth and nail with the school board for permission to take the students to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in DC to complement the reading of the book. She convinced them that these young people were intelligent, mature and insightful enough to "handle it". I accompanied my daughter and her classmates on that trip and will carry to my dying day the marvel and pride that we all felt when they not only "handled it", they shone brightly with insight and articulation that rivals that of the brightest adults. Those fourth graders are now 32 years old and are living lives that would make her proud. My daughter is now a Special Education teacher, certified in Reading and five other subjects, in, I hope, the model of Mrs. Perrault. Mrs. Perrault gave her time and talent to something that will long out-live her. May that one day be said of each of us.
Joseph McKane
August 12, 2018
Jeff, Margaret, Helen, Susan and Mark,
I am thinking of all of you and wishing you peace, comfort and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. All of you are in my prayers. Your mom was a special person. Blessings to all of you and your families.
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Kateri Race
August 10, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Perrault was my 4th grade reading teacher, I have her to thank for my love of reading. Mrs. Perrault also taught across the hall from my father (Mr. Bilotta) for years. My father and Mrs. Perrault were such good friends. My father would invite her up to the house and they would go pick blueberries together. I will always look back on my memories of her and smile. ❤
Bridget Norkaitis
August 10, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss! She was one of my favorite teachers. Always fair and kind. Thoughts and prayers to her family.
August 10, 2018
It has been my great pleasure and honor to have known Mary. She was an avid reader and called the library at least once a week with requests for books, new and old, that piqued her interest. We will miss her as I am sure all who knew her will.
Marie Zaccone Director of the Carbondale Public Library.
Maura Foley
August 10, 2018
I'm very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and all your family members.
Mark Rakauskas
August 10, 2018
Helen - I am very sorry to read of your mom's passing. She sounds like a remarkable woman. I can see that you bear a strong resemblance to her. I hope you take great comfort in a life well lived and fond memories of her life will help you through your grief. Mark (- your high school classmate from Miss. Shean's French class)
Rebecca Selvenis Rudelson
August 9, 2018
Mrs. Perrault was my fourth grade teacher, and I probably remember more about her class than any other teacher's in my life. Kids didn't necessarily want to "get her" as they entered 4th grade. We heard she was the scary teacher. She was aware of this, and told us she didn't care about being the teacher we liked the most, but wanted to be the one from whom we learned the most. (I re-wrote that sentence to say "from whom" rather than "learned the most from" because I know she'd want my grammar to be correct). Her comment stunned me and I think about it often. That isn't to say she didn't like the kids or the kids didn't come to like her, but she was absolutely no-nonsense. She also talked to us about feelings, and self-confidence, even singing Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" with us. She comforted kids at the passing of a beloved grandparent. She talked often of her daughter who was also training to be a teacher- she was so proud of the vocation. She taught us verb tenses then, and I vividly remember being so proud in 8th grade when we "learned" them a second time with the other kids in the district. She was good, she was tough. I've been fortunate to have many excellent, caring teachers. And as was her wish, she WAS the teacher from whom I learned the most, for that age and time. And because of that, I ALSO like her the most. I think about her in my role as a people manager, as I want to coach and guide my team, and also get to know them and enjoy our work together, but most importantly to help them feel that I really care about their careers and the development of their skills and passions. I want them to reflect later that I brought out the best in them, and helped them excel. Thanks, Mrs. Perrault.
Peter Crynes
August 9, 2018
Dear Perrault family,
Many happy and wonderful memories. May God bless you at this time with a deep gratitude for such wonderful mothering. May you carry your mothers heart and soul with you always. Sharing your gifts with others.
With hopes and prayers for peace and love
Peter
Henry Kearney
August 9, 2018
Heartfelt condolences for a woman who led an exemplary life
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363 Washington Avenue, Jermyn, PA 18433
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