Kathryn Theresa Perella

Kathryn Theresa Perella, age 85, passed away on Monday, September 09, 2024, at her home in South Walpole, Massachusetts. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 1, 1939, she was the daughter of Daniel J. and Kathryn T. (Henry) Coffey. Kathryn was raised in Worcester until kindergarten, when her family moved to Derry, New Hampshire. She spent her youth on the Hood Dairy farm in town and attended a one room schoolhouse where she often helped to teach the younger students. Her teenage years were spent in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. A devoted Catholic, Kathryn became very involved with her local chapter of the Catholic Youth Organization, taking on leadership roles and sharing her faith with others. At school, Kathryn participated in sports, playing softball and basketball, as well as theater, performing in plays such as "Arsenic and Old Lace".

After her graduation from West Bridgewater High School with the class of 1957, Kathryn went on to receive a secretarial certificate and began working at Fay Photo in Brockton, Massachusetts. It was here that she would meet her future husband. 

On October 10, 1959, Kathryn married the love of her life, Nicholas M. Perella, at Saint Ann's Church in West Bridgewater. The young couple made their married home in Brockton, where they started their family. As their family continued to grow, they moved to the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, before settling into their charming home in South Walpole, Massachusetts in1966. 

As her children grew older, Kathryn returned to the workforce, assisting in the Nurses office for the Walpole School System. Kathryn became involved with the community, with her love of athletics leading to her co-founding the Walpole Gridiron Club with her husband Nicholas. She spent many months each year organizing and holding meetings, preparing for the end of the year banquet and her highly anticipated year in review slideshow. 

Kathryn continued her career as a medical assistant at Dr. Prout's office in Walpole and later with the Steward Medical Group in Foxborough, Massachusetts until her retirement at 70 years old. 

In her free time, Kathryn enjoyed a variety of activities. She was a self-taught organist who loved all genres of music. She was a sports enthusiast who followed all the Boston teams, as well as her children’s and grandchildren’s teams. Kathryn had a classic sense of style and took pride in being well dressed and put together. She loved to keep her wardrobe up to date and never missed an opportunity to earn a little Kohl's cash. At home, Kathryn enjoyed relaxing with a Hallmark movie or her favorite News program. In the summer, the beach was the ultimate destination until her and Nicholas installed the family pool, which welcomed neighbors and friends every weekend, making the Perella's home the place to be.

Kathryn will be remembered as a pillar of strength for her family throughout her life. Her tenacity was an inspiration and an example of how to weather a storm. Kathryn was meticulous and well organized, with impeccable taste and high standards to be met. She was straightforward and never wavered in her values. She will be greatly missed.

Beloved wife of the late Nicholas M. Perella

Loving mother of Joanne Healy, and her husband James, of Montclair, Virginia, Daniel J. Perella, and his wife Brenda, of Bellingham, Mary Kay Driscoll, and her husband John, of Medway, and Nicholas M. Perella II, and his partner Shannon Payette, of South Walpole

Cherished grandmother of Jack Healy, Michael Healy and his wife Ashley, Brandon Perella and his wife Alyssa, Joseph Perella and his wife Brittany, Michelle Varey and her husband Andrew, Nicholas Driscoll, Danielle Driscoll, Andrew Perella, Emma Perella, and the late Daniel "DJ" Perella; and great-grandmother of Cecelia Varey, Daniel Perella, Gabriel Perella, Natalie Varey, Benjamin Varey, Samuel Varey, Rylan Healy, Kiera Healy, and Riagan Perella

Sister of Mary Fran Bolotin, and her husband Barry, of Bridgewater and Margaret Martin of Mattapoisett

Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins

Kathryn's family would also like to acknowledge and thank her home health aide and friend, Laurie Driscoll, for her support, kindness, and friendship.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Kathryn's visitation on Monday, September 16th, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, at 10:30 am in Saint Mary's Church, 130 South Street in Wrentham. Interment will follow at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kathryn's name may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting https://www.stjude.org/