Marilyn Louise (Cristini) Perry, 81, of Stratford died peacefully May 26. She was born in Derby on New Year's Day 1936, daughter of the late Mae (Cawthra) and Leslie David Cristini. She was the widow of Charles "Gordy" Perry, Sr.

Her children and their spouses, Charles Jr and Jennie Perry of Newtown, Karen and Randy Zigmont of Oxford, Denise Morrissey of Stratford, and Bruce and Heidi Perry of Carefree, Ariz.; grandchildren, Timothy Morrissey, Thomas Morrissey, Jonathan Zigmont, Lorin Zigmont Borghini, Charles G. Perry III, Prescott Perry, Cooper G. Perry, and Gunnar T. Perry; great-grandchildren; brothers and their wives, Leslie and Carol Cristini of Stratford, and Al and Jacque Cristini of Key Largo, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews survive her.

In addition to her parents and husband Gordy, her sister Dolores (Cristini) Agvent predeceased her.

A lifelong resident of Stratford, Mrs Perry enjoyed the Long Island Sound and the local beaches her entire life. She graduated Stratford High School in 1953, where she was class organizer and continued as part of the Class Reunion Committee for nearly 50 years.

She earned a BS degree at Sacred Heart University and was employed as an accountant for many years, most notably for St Joseph's High School in Trumbull, Michael James Contracting in Stratford, and American Lecithin Company of Oxford.

A dedicated volunteer over the years, Mrs Perry helped raise money for the American Heart Association, was a member of the Ladies Guild of Holy Name Church, and taught Catechism classes at Our Lady of Grace Church. She also served at the Lord's Kitchen in Stratford, an interfaith network of local churches that provides meals for people in need.

Mrs Perry also taught English as second language a tthe Mercy Center in Bridgeport. She enjoyed traveling abroad and skiing in Vermont with her children and grandchildren, but her greatest joy was spending holidays "gathered around the table," surrounded by her children, extended family, and friends.

Friends may greet the family on Friday, June 2, from 4 to 7 pm, in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 3, at 10:30 am, meeting directly at Our Lady of Grace Church, 498 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Interment will be in Lawn Cemetery, Shelton.

Memorial donations may be made to The Stratford Animal Rescue, PO Box 1371, Stratford CT 06615.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit adzimafuneralhome.com.