Perlini, Sandra A. (Stefan)

Sandra Ann (Stefan) Perlini beloved wife, Mom, Grammie, relative and friend, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the age of 77, after a long battle with cancer. Born July 7, 1944 in Lawrence, MA, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Helen (Earl) Stefan. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Ernest L. Perlini, their three children and their spouses,

Steven and Susan Perlini, Allyson and Matt Teel, Melissa and Nick Mesite, along with grandchildren Michael, Jackson, Hailey, Olivia, Sloane, Hannah and Quinn. She is also survived by her sister, Linda O’rouke from Milford, MA, and nieces/nephews in the New Hampshire area, as well as the extended Perlini Family of sisters/brothers-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother and sisterin-law, Edward and Marie Stefan and her in-laws, Bruno and Nita Perlini. She graduated from Lawrence High School, Merrimack College with a BA in Math Education and Salem State College with a MA in Mathematics. She completed advanced courses at CCSU, University of Hartford, and University of New England. Sandy loved teaching. During her 43-year career in education she taught primarily mathematics at Martin Kellogg and Newington High School, also serving as Junior High Department Chair and later in the Gifted and Talented Program. Her classes were always centered around teaching curriculum and adjusting to student needs. She helped write curriculum, develop measurement standards, and design teaching units to stimulate student learning. She was respected by students who frequently commented on their enjoyment being in her class. Students always commented on her dress. She kept a calendar of what she wore to school each day to avoid repetition. She enjoyed sponsoring after school activities and attending student proms. She was proud to say to her students she had their parents in class many years ago. Sandy was active in

Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority for female educators interested in community service. Sandy was a true professional. Sandy was most proud of being a “Mom”, which was her highest priority. She would take a brief leave from teaching to be home full-time with each child during their early years and taught only part-time for many years to balance work and home. She was very proud her children who graduated from Newington High School and attended the college of their choice. During the children’s growing up years she taught CCD for each child, provided transportation to sports, dance, music lessons, chaperoned field trips, scheduled visit with friends, attended school activities and sporting events. She taught each how to ride a bike, ski, do homework, and encouraged good decision-making and independence. School was always a priority as she attended every parent conference, supported instruction in reading, math, organizational skills, writing and more. She always celebrated the achievement and improvement of her children. Sandy set an example as the children watched her correct papers, plan lessons, read frequently and practice things to achieve personal improvement. She was proud of all three children and told them frequently as they grew up. Today she is very proud of the adults they have become and family values they are providing for her seven grandchildren. Friends have always been part of her life. She still maintains contact with her Massachusetts high school and college friends. Newington has been her home for over 50 years. Many of her teaching colleagues and people she met through activities involving the children have become close personal friends. She always enjoyed lunches, dinners, golf, bowling, casino, shopping, cards, traveling, and talking with so many of her friends. She knew life was getting harder for her and always appreciated their support and ongoing presence. Point O’ Woods Beach has been her second home for nearly 50 years. Kids were brought up at the beach all summers and weekends in the fall and spring. Sandy has many beach friends. From her special chair on the front porch she could watch the world go by. In earlier years she would be on the beach for hours and recently she would ride the golf cart to visit old friends and meet new ones. Sandy loved entertaining at the beach and the many activities of the Woman’s Club. The beach house for years has been the meeting place for family and friends. Fort Lauderdale has been another great getaway while still working, and became her winter residence after retirement. She enjoyed escaping the cold, entertaining friends, restaurants, and just looking at the water full-time. She met lots of new friends through her knitting hobby, making things for many people and donating items to the church. Game Show Channel was a must no matter where she was living. Sandy was a true fighter. Battling cancer for 14 years, 13 of which was Stage 4 metastatic cancer. Cancer slowed everything down, but Sandy still managed family, friends, and travel. During these years, she celebrated all three of her children’s weddings and welcomed her seven grandchildren into the world. Sandy and Ernie knew how blessed they were to have such a wonderful family and great friends. While Sandy’s life

has been short in many ways it allowed her to leave many lasting footprints in everything that was part of her life. Sandy gave it her best at beating cancer. She would want the others she loved who are fighting cancer to never give up hope. Sandy supported many special charities including volunteering with the Red Cross and participating in the Newington Relay for Life Cancer Walk. One charity that stands out with a mission that is important to the Perlini family is The Cancer Couch Foundation. 100% of their donations go to fund metastatic breast cancer research at Dana-farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Memorial donations in Sandy’s memory

may be made to The Cancer Couch Foundation, P.O. Box 1145, Southport, CT 06890 or www.thecancercouch.com. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, September 3, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Duksa

Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral service will begin on Saturday, September 4, 2021, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., directly at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church St., Newington, where she was a member for many years. She will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery

in Newington. To share a condolence or memory with her family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.