Leslie Perry Rascati

Leslie Perry Rascati, (Les, Mom, Mrs. R, Auntie Les, Gigi), 77, took her leave on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Never a drinker, but an Irish woman ‘til the end, she let her spirit go out the open window and was finally reunited with her great love, Vinny.

She was born on December 30, 1944 to Doris and Anthony Perry and was the goody-two-shoes, older sister to Brother Jack, (sister-in-law Helen) who she adored. Despite her Irish heritage (“she’s not Italian, Vinny”), her in-laws relented and her eggplant parmesan finally took its place as the best within the family; brothers and sistersin-law, Nick and Diana Rascati and Rosemary and Armand Russo.

She was the extraordinary mother and role model to her only child, Susan, who she offered unsolicited advice and unwavering love. Leslie came to love her sonin-law, Nate, like her own, mostly due to the fact that he, unlike Susan, cooked. She was the exceptional grandmother to her “little monsters,” Finn and Rye and she took every opportunity to indulge, spoil, and caffeinate them.

To say that Leslie was an accomplished woman, would be a bit of an understatement. In her early 20s, she was elected Democratic Councilwoman of West Haven. For over thirty-six years, she was a middle school teacher at Nathan Hale School and served as a union officer. She retired while still young and took on endless charity work, counting the donations at

St. Rita Church, driving the elderly Sisters at the Scared Heart Manor and cooking at the Columbus House. She became deeply devoted to the Catholic Charity League of New Haven, where she served as president, vice president, and chairwoman of the Spring Fundraiser.

Leslie was a force of nature, a generous, tireless, and tenacious woman. She was always true to herself and lived life her way. She threw the best parties, made the wittiest comments, and was the first person with a donation and a ham when tragedy struck. When she walked into the room you took notice and when she raised her voice, 25 middleschoolers came to attention. Never one to mince words or hide a piercing glare, you always knew where you stood. But if you came to her with a sense of humor, an ironed shirt, and never mentioned if you were a Republican, she welcomed you into her heart.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4:007:00pm in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. 11 Wooster Pl. New Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00am in St. Paul VI Parish at St. Rita Church 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. In lieu of flowers, contribution can be made to The Catholic Charity League, 6 Whiting Court, Northford, CT 06472. Share a memory and sign Leslie’s guestbook online at www. iovanne.com