Obituary of Eileen S. Perry

Eileen Samuelson ("Sammy") Perry of Essex, CT went peacefully to be with the Lord on June 15, 2013, surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her home. The eldest of two children, she was born in West Haven, CT, on December 19, 1920 to Arthur Oliver and Ruth Chevalier Samuelson. Following her graduation from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing in 1944 she applied for service in the Navy and then the Army. Sammy completed Army basic training and though destined for duty in the Pacific, was eventually assigned to the military hospital in Panama. She met Brewster Perry there and they married in 1947. When her husband was recalled to active duty she became an Army wife. After five children and 32 moves, her husband retired from the Army in 1962 and Sammy moved the family to Fiddlers Green in Ivoryton, CT. Two years later their sixth child was born. Lifelong friendships were forged at dinner parties and countless social activities as Sammy was the consummate hostess. On a 25th wedding anniversary trip, Brewster and Sammy decided to relocate to San Diego, CA where they resided for 12 years. Connecticut beckoned and in 1984, they returned to Essex to the Long Yellow House. Sammy loved being active in the Essex Garden Club and attending St. John's Episcopal Church where she helped in many capacities, most notably coordinating for the weekly floral arrangements for many years. Her culinary skills were well known. She loved boating with her family and friends and treasured visits from all who loved her. She is survived by five of her six children: Jonathan N. Perry of Little Rock, AR, Sarah N. Perry of Arlington, VA, Bradford Perry of San Diego, CA, Joanna P. Roemhild of Deep River, CT, and Samuel B. Perry of Chester, CT; her eight grandchildren: Christian Perry, Nathan Perry, Matthew Perry, Caitlin Christ, Brennan Perry, Devin Perry, Andrew Roemhild, and Hannah Roemhild; and five great-grandchildren. Her husband Brewster, her first born Brewster Perry Jr., and her brother Robert predeceased her. The family would like to thank all the compassionate caregivers who enabled Sammy to live the last four and a half years in her beloved home and the caring professionals of Middlesex Hospital in both the Hospice and Palliative Care Program and Middlesex Hospital Hospice home care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be sent to St. John's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 422, Essex, CT 06426 or the Hospice and Palliative Care Program of Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 20, 2013 at St. John's Episcopal Church, corner of Cross and Main Streets in Essex, CT. The burial service, for family and friends, will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Essex. To share a memory of Sammy or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.