Edith F. Perry

Edith F. Perry, a teacher and administrator at St. Ann School in Wollaston for more than 30 years, died Tuesday, April 12 at Marina Bay Skilled Nursing Center after a long illness. “Mrs. Perry,” as she was known lovingly to thousands of St. Ann School children, first began teaching at the school in 1958. An educator with a degree from Emmanuel College, she was approached by the then St. Ann’s pastor to fill an unpaid, one-year position to lead a third grade class at the young school. She happily agreed to serve as a measure of her strong belief in Catholic education, never imagining she would go on to become part of the regular staff for decades and, ultimately, be named Vice Principal. An accomplished singer and long-time member of the parish choir, Mrs. Perry particularly enjoyed sharing her love of music with each St. Ann’s student. As part of her daily class schedule, she taught music to generations of Quincy children, gently encouraging each one that an appreciation of music and the arts is an important part of a well-rounded life. In addition, she helped found a St. Ann’s after-school drama program that produced a series of annual musical plays, from the “King and I,” and “The Sound of Music” to “Fiddler on the Roof,” all with full costumes, sets and accompaniment. She took special pride in including as many children as possible in each production, and loved seeing the shyest of young participants blossom into confident performers. Many would return later in their high school years to thank her for igniting a lifelong passion for song and stage. Mrs. Perry was the devoted wife of 57 years of the late Philip P. Perry. She leaves her children, Suzanne Perry of Chelsea, MA, Diane Cierpial and her husband Carl of Pleasant Hill, CA, Donna Perry of Beverly, MA, Robert Perry and his wife Mary McNamara of Milton, MA, Maria Perry and her husband John Stock of Kansas City, MO, and three grandchildren, Elisa, Philip and Christiane Perry. She was a beloved sister to Ann O’Connor of Quincy, MA. and the late Pauline Bonanno of South Boston, MA. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 10:45 AM on Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, Quincy at 11:30 AM. Burial in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Donations in memory of Mrs. Perry may be made to the Edith F. Perry Scholarship at Quincy Catholic Academy, 370 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02171.