Irene K. “Mema” Perry , age 80 and a long-time Somerville resident died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on January 20th.
Irene was born in Cambridge, the daughter of the late William and the late Irene (Silva) Perry. A Somerville resident for many years, Mema worked as a social worker with Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, until she retired. Later in her life she matriculated at Bunker Hill Community College where she earned her Associate Degree. Mema was devoted to her family and enjoyed the company of her many relatives and friends.
She was a devoted mother to Frank Paradiso of Northboro, Atty. Dianne Bartalamia and her husband Paul of Tewksbury, Darlene Perry of Somerville, Tonna McCall of Hull, Jodi Sannicandro, RN of Medford, and Teri-Lee Sullivan of Abington. She was a beloved “Mema” to Leanne, Tanya, Lauren, Tara, Brian, Paula, Joseph, Monica, Jenna, Jessica and loving great-grandmother and “Mema” to Jason, Ryleigh, Ella and Dylan. She was a dear sister to Beatrice Harvey, Carol Scalese, Jean Roy and the late Mary Reeves, Theresa Martin, Joan Flynn, William and Edwin Perry. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Wednesday, January 25th at 9AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 262 Washington Street, Somerville, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family at the funeral home Tuesday 4 - 8. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.