Barbara Patricia (O'Connell) Perroni

SALEM – Mrs. Barbara Patricia (O’Connell) Perroni, 91, of Salem, beloved wife of John B. Perroni, died peacefully, Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 at the Brudnick Center in Peabody, following a brief illness.

Born in Beverly, she was the daughter of the late George E. Sr. and Ada (Patch) O’Connell. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, class of 1950. She continued her education at Salem Teachers College earning her bachelor’s degree in Education, Class of 1954.

Mrs. Perroni began her professional career as an educator in the Salem School Department, teaching first at the Sheridan School. Following the birth of her children, she left teaching to focus on her family, but in 1970 she returned to the class room beginning at the Bates School, then matriculating to the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School and following a short stint at the Collins Middle School, she returned to Witchcraft where she was a beloved teacher until the time of her retirement.

Born with the “happy gene”, Barbara had a blessed life. All by her own creation, filled with love. She was an adored educator and loving wife, doting grandmother and great grandmother and loyal friend. A lifelong resident of the city of Salem, Barbara was active civically and socially. She was a long-time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, the Women’s Friends Society, the Salem Teacher’s Union and the Salem Garden Club. More recently, she spent days creating new memories and friends at the Swampscott Council on Aging, enjoying all of their activities. She was an avid reader and crossworder and forever on the go.

Barbara and John had a love story for the ages, meeting in high school and creating a family and life together over 69 years of marriage. Salem High and Salem State have had a profound impact on their lives and in turn they have supported both institutions vigorously. Attending every Salem State Men’s Basketball or Ice Hockey game together, they proudly wore the moniker of “Viking Super Fans” proudly. They were unofficial members of the teams at Salem State, knowing the players and coaches’ names and always with a word of encouragement. They both had a passion for athletics and are regular attendees at Salem High contests. Barbara also never missed a child’s, grandchild’s or great grandchild’s life or sporting event, making friends and cheering them on, all along the way. Barbara’s love and support of her family is her everlasting hallmark.

In retirement, Barbara traveled extensively all throughout the United States and Europe. Taking numerous family trips to Sicily, Italy and Disney, creating forever memories through their family adventures. She was a long time Boston Bruins season ticket holder, riding the train in to Boston from Salem to support the B’s. Barbara’s out going and social nature, combined with her love of activity and her sunny disposition, endeared her to all.

Barbara is survived by her husband, John B. Perroni of Salem, her children, John Perroni and his companion, Alice DaSilva of Peabody, Sharon Bird and her husband, John of East Wakefield, NH, Linda Raye and her husband, Charles of Exeter, NH, Kathleen Richard and her husband, Arthur of Salem and David Perroni of Stamford, CT, her grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, Shawna, Tyler and Cameron Perroni, Kevin and Leanne Bird, Charles and Michelle Raye and Nicole Shreenan and Anthony Blakeman, 9 great grandchildren, her brother, George O’Connell Jr and his wife, Lorraine of Salem and several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. She was the loving mother of the late Stephen Perroni and sister of the late John O’Connell.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held from O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Saturday, Nov. 4th at 10 A.M. followed by her funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Margin St., Peabody at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours Friday, Nov. 3rd from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Women’s Friends Society, 12 Hawthorne Blvd, Salem, MA 01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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