New London - Ethel Stoner Perl, 94, of New London, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born in New London Feb. 9, 1926, to the late Harry and Rebecca (Merims) Stoner.

A lifelong resident of New London, Ethel and her family survived the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. She was a graduate of the Williams Memorial Institute and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in dental hygiene. She married Murray A. Perl April 19, 1947. He predeceased her August 9, 1998.

Ethel and Murray took over running New London Store Fixture Company (NELSCO) and Facilities Design Associates from Ethel's father in 1955, and grew the business until it closed in December 1987. Ethel was ahead of her time, managing the NELSCO office staff for 30 years. During that time, she and Murray raised three children. Ethel and Murray enjoyed traveling and doting on their grandchildren. She was a life member of Hadassah. Ethel loved hosting Shabbos dinner every Friday night as well as celebrating the holidays surrounded by her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and her chicken soup, brisket, apple pie and mandelbrot were favorites with all.

Ethel is survived by her son Edward (Mimi) Perl of New London; daughters, Janice (Richard) Pullman of Dallas, Texas and Carol Darver and her life partner, Joel Persky of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren: Rebecca Hogan, Michael Pullman, Jennifer Perl (Wes) Thompson, Matthew Perl, Elizabeth Darver Leak and Harris (Leslie) Darver. There are five surviving great-grandchildren: Aaron Hogan, Elliot and Nicole Leak and Clare and Summer Thompson. She was predeceased by her siblings, Morris, Carl, Jeannette and David.

Special thanks to the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of SECT and to her caregivers from Warm Hearted Home Care for allowing Ethel to remain in her home almost to the very end. Thank you goes to the staff at L + M Hospital for making Ethel's last days as pain free and comfortable as possible.

A private family graveside service will be held Sunday, April 19, 2020, in Beth-El Cemetery, Groton. A celebration of Ethel's life will take place at a future date. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington Street, New London. is assisting with arrangements. You are invited to visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory. Donations in Ethel's memory may be made to the VNA, 403 N Frontage Road, Waterford, CT 06385 or to the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT, 28 Channing St., New London, CT 06320.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Apr. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Ethel Perl

Sponsored by Byles Memorial Home - New London.

11 Entries

Aaron & Carol Rogovin

April 21, 2020

Dear Ed and family,
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. May you all find peace and comfort in the coming days.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and yours, during this difficult time.

Carrie Gregory, RN

April 21, 2020

It was an honor and privilege to know Ethel over these last several years. She was not only my patient but a friend. She will be truly missed.

April 21, 2020

Ed & Mimi, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was always so wonderful to me growing up with you. She was my Uncles neighbor and would say hello when I visited.
My thoughts are with you

Charles Katz

Joe Heap

April 19, 2020

Ed, Janice, Carol and family. I will miss Ethel she was a great lady. Although she could not see me, she would always say "Hello Joe Heap, I can't see you but I will never forget that voice. ". RIP Ethel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Sandra Clarke O)ney

April 19, 2020

Ed and Mimi....Im so sorry for your loss. May your memories of your mother all be of joyful times

henry resnikoff

April 19, 2020

To Ed and family: my condolences on your Mom's passing. Lots of good memories from being at your Ocean Avenue home. My prayers and thoughts to your family and you. Henry B. Resnikoff Essex, CT

Garon and Beth Camassar

April 18, 2020

Our heartfelt sympathy to Ethels family on the loss of their beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and best friend. May the many beautiful memories you shared always comfort you. We have fond family memories especially when both of our parents wintered in Florida. May her life be for a blessing.

Diane Hudson

April 18, 2020

I remember Ethel welcoming me with a hug whenever we met, which was only every few years as I live in the UK. But I travelled to see her with Marilyn Fetcher whenever we visited the USA. She was a warm hearted lovely brave woman who will be greatly missed.

Ethel, Murray, and 1/2 of my father

Mark Fetcher

April 17, 2020

Ethel, Murray, my mother, and "half" of my father.

Lori Bendett

April 17, 2020

Bill and I send our deepest condolences. I will always have fond memories of the Friday night dinners that I attended at Ethels while living next door.

Mark Fetcher

April 17, 2020

My condolences to our family.
I loved my Cousin Ethel in many ways, but there was one very special way.
Ethel and my mother were first cousins; their fathers were brothers.
Ethel married her late husband, Murray, who was the best friend of my father when they grew up in the Bronx.
Ethel was the "matchmaker" for my parents.
She told Murray to tell my father Leo (Lee) that he should meet my mother, her cousin, Edith Rakosky.
The "story" that I had been told over the years was that Ethel told her cousin, my mother, that Leo (Lee) had money.
And Murray told his friend, my father, that his wife's cousin Edith had money.
Neither did. :-)
My folks were happily married for almost 40 years, and Ethel is why I am here.
I miss my Cousin Ethel.

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