Helen Perillo, 96, a longtime resident of Newtown, died peacefully on July 9, 2017, surrounded by her family after a short illness. She was born in Bridgeport in 1919. She was predeceased by Anthony, her husband of 53 years and 9 siblings. She is survived by her brother William of Bridgeport, daughter Marie Griffin of Forest Grove, Oregon, son Anthony Jr. and his wife Rachel of Springfield, Vermont, son Felix and wife Susan of Coquille, Oregon, daughter Arline Shanley and husband Edward of Newtown, and daughter Vanessa Peck and partner Jim Lovely of Forest Grove, Oregon. She will also be mourned by grandchildren James Perillo of Forest Grove, Oregon, Donna Moody of Twenty-nine Palms, California, John Perillo of Springfield, Vermont, Kenneth Perillo of Monroe, Louisiana, Audra Shanley of Munich, Germany, as well as several great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by longtime friends and neighbors Marie and Jim Smith, and Knettie and Flip Archard, who she met through the Golden Opportunities program.
Helen was a housewife and mother to five children while also shouldering the burden of farm life for nearly 15 years on Little Brook Lane. At 50, she went to work at Grolier Publishing in Danbury where she enjoyed socializing with her co-workers and exploring her new-found working life outside the home. She earned her driver’s license when she was in her 60s. Helen loved her family, garden, taking family photographs and attending mass at St. Rose of Lima Church. She was an avid letter writer, sending long handwritten notes to family and friends across America.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, July 13, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, 06470. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Rose Church at 11 am on Thursday, July 14. Interment will follow at St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury.
Donations may be made in Helen’s name to: Golden Opportunities, a nonprofit senior program, P.O. Box 3663, Newtown, CT 06470.

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