MASHANTUCKET: Shirley Brown Perry, 93, of Mashantucket went to sleep in the Lord on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Shirley was born on May 19, 1933, in Staunton, Virginia, the daughter of Preston and Pearl Brown. She was the fifth child out of a family of 6. Shirely grew up in a strong Christian (Methodist) household and was a devoted daughter, sister and friend. She learned to play piano and had a love for singing and music. She attended Booker T. Washington High School where she excelled in in her education, participated in cheerleading and was voted Ms. Booker T. Washington for her beauty, talent, intelligence and infectious sense of humor.
Shirley enrolled at Three Rivers College in Norwich, Connecticut, to study nursing, and during this time she met the love of her life, John E. Perry Jr. They married in 1952, had four children, and shared a happy life together until his passing in January 2012. Over the decades, Shirley deepened her relationship with the Lord and was baptized into the Norwich Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was a devoted wife and mother who maintained close ties with family and friends in Connecticut and Virginia. She also mentored many young people in her church and local community. Shirley briefly worked as a teaching assistant at Mahan Elementary School, volunteered as an administrative assistant at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Norwich, and owned Shirley’s Consignment Shop. Her many interests included roller skating, cross-country skiing, singing with a local group, and spending time in nature. She especially loved the outdoors and the beauty and grace of butterflies. Above all, Shirley’s enduring passion was helping those in need and sharing her love and knowledge of God with everyone she met.
Shirley is predeceased by her daughter Cheryl Marie Allen, grandson Daniel Ricketts, Jr. and siblings Verbena Brown, Carlene Lee, Preston Brown, Jr., Ramona Caul, and Faye Vaughn.
She is survived by her children Deborah Ann Perry-Gregoire, John E. Perry III and Rebecca E. Levy. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and many other family members and beloved friends.
Shirley's family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, July 30, from 9 to 11am at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will be held starting at 11am at the funeral home. A private family burial will immediately follow Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society at the cancer.org donate page or by calling 800-227-2345.