Shrewsbury – Angeline “Angie” (LaComfora) Perna, 92, a longtime Shrewsbury resident, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep, Monday June 24, 2013, surrounded by family.
Angie was born in Worcester, raised in West Boylston, one of eight children of Italian immigrants Rocco and Dora (DiTaranto) LaComfora. In 1939, Angie met and in 1940 married the love of her life for the next 65 years, Michael P. Perna. She then moved to Shrewsbury to raise her family and had lived there for the past 73 years.
Her husband Michael, a retired Shrewsbury firefighter, passed away in 2005. She is survived by the family she loved, her daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Richard “Dickie” Qualey, with whom she lived; Master Sgt. Michael P. Perna, Jr. USAF, and his wife Sandra of Shrewsbury; grandchildren, Stephen Qualey and his wife Christina, Melissa Qualey, Richard Perna and his wife Kristen, Nicholas Perna and his wife Lisa; seven great-grandchildren she adored, Danielle, Anthony, and Ryan Qualey, Tyler, Katlyn, Anthony and Jack Perna; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Angie and her husband Mike were very active socially in Shrewsbury and enjoyed the company of many friends over the years. She loved to go to Dunkin Donuts and have coffee with her friends and trips to the casino. They loved the Cape, clamming, crabbing, picking and preserving wild mushrooms.
Angie was lovingly known as the “Mushroom Lady.” A fabulous Italian cook, she spent countless time in the kitchen preparing food and pastries for everybody who stopped by. She especially enjoyed Sundays when her entire family came over for “Pasta Day at Nana's.” She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and making many afghans for family, friends and friends of friends!
She was a family-oriented woman, who cherished her Italian heritage and always surrounded herself with family, keeping them near and dear to her heart. She had so much heart and love to give that it was special and extremely comforting to be in a room with her. She was a member of St Anne's Church, and an active Shrewsbury poll worker over 40 years until the age of 85.
Angie's funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd. (please go directly to church). Burial next to her husband Mike will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Private calling hours will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorial remembrances in her name can be made to either the Lupus foundation of New England, 40 Speen St., Suite 205, Framingham, MA 01701 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 9 Earie Dr., Natick, MA 01760.
