Evangeline "Vange" Perona

Vange Perona, 90, was born January 30, 1930. She decided to become an angel December 7, 2020.
She was born in St. Leonard, Canada, to the late Theodore and Edna (Deveau) McClay. She adored her mother and father; her mother was her lifelong hero. She became a proud US citizen April 4, 1945.
She spent her childhood on “The Farm” in Houlton, Maine with her late sisters Barbara (Francis) O’Donnell and Priscilla (George) Farrar. Evangeline, Barbara, and Priscilla were known as the Belles of St. Mary’s. One of her favorite memories was driving the farm truck starting at age 8.
After graduating from Houlton High School, she attended the University of Maine at Farmington and received her teaching diploma. She taught school beginning in 1959 and retired from Henry W. Longfellow Cleveland Public School in 1987. She took a few years off and traveled to many states and VFW national functions. She worked for Bob Potti (1993-2017) at his family funeral home, retiring at age 87!
She married Charles Stanley (dec) April 16, 1951, and together they had six children. They started married life in Maine and then moved to Cleveland, Ohio. She married Joseph Perona (dec) March 13, 1971 and he was happy to take on a ready-made family of six pre-teens/teens. They lived on the lake in Willoughby, Ohio. She spent many years traveling and attending VFW functions with her special companion August “Augie” Trombetta (dec). She spent extended vacations with Augie in Florida with his sister Theresa, brother-in-law Harold and nephew “Scubby” Voltra.
Her immediate family, extended family and friends were her greatest joy and reasons to start each day with a smile! She was the cherished mother of five sons and one daughter. David, Robert and Gerald were there to greet her in heaven. John (Debra), Wendell (Vickie) and Charlotte (Richard) Dunham will miss her every day until reunited. She loved her six grandchildren Jessica, Joseph, Dmitri, Wendell Jr., Linda and Charles. She was blessed with 14 great grandchildren: Bryson, Cassidy, Alexander, Elizabeth, Abigail, Garrett, Tatiana, Adriana, Joshua, Lillian, Brenden, Kaylyn, Jacob and Layla. She saved almost every card, picture and letter they gave her. She had many nieces and nephews and some of them sent her yearly family photos and updates which she displayed with pride. George Farrar Jr. and Jane Hutchinson were her special godchildren. She loved telling everyone about her wild ride in Georgie’s red corvette. Son-in-law Rich took her grocery shopping and ran interference so she wouldn’t run into shoppers or displays as she spied a special goody she had to have. She grabbed the handle of the truck and would hoist herself into the seat with no problem- feisty! She would walk laps around her apartment holding Rich’s hand because canes and walkers were for “old people”.
Bob and Carol Potti were very special friends that she loved like family. She lived in Fairport Harbor above Potti’s funeral home and loved her apartment as much as the farm in Maine. Her apartment was decorated for every holiday. The rest of the year she had red, white, blue and an all-American patriotic theme. She planted different perennials so there would be something in bloom spring through fall. Our family is truly grateful that Mom was able to stay at “her” apartment until she went into the hospital and rehab. Another special friend, Loretta Welder, invited Mom every year to share some time at her summer cottage in Andover and attend some VFW meetings and luncheons.
Each Saturday at St. Anthony’s 4PM mass she enjoyed sitting close to the front of the church with her church lady friends. Before or after mass Fr. Pete Mihalic always had a smile for her, gave her hugs and told her jokes. She enjoyed on-line mass and thought Fr. Pete was on tv! Neighbors Aaron and Judy came to the rescue in a time of need- her family is extremely grateful!
She enjoyed volunteering to support the Veterans, reading, baking, and gardening. She loved yard sales where she bought many treasures. During the ‘70s and 80s she went to the farm in Maine most years. She loved the fresh air, working in the gardens, washing clothes (in a wringer washer) and drying them out in the sunshine. She picked wild strawberries and raspberries and made fabulous desserts. In the spring she would travel to John and Debra’s home in South Carolina to spend time with their family. She loved making dollar size pancakes for the great grandkids when they came home from school. Sitting on the porch and using her green thumb were her relaxing activities in the south. She visited Wendell in Missouri and on one trip went to a huge flea market.
Her last trip was to South Carolina in October 2020. Wendell “Baby Boy” took her to visit John, Debra, Jessica, Linda and their children. She was thrilled to be treated like a queen the entire time! She even had a special “Stanley Spa Day” complete with a tiara. She raved about the southern cooking and ate big meals with the group. A very special time in the life of a very special Lady!
She was a member of Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Life member of VFW Auxiliary 3863, Past President of Lake/Geauga County Council, Past President District #4, NEA, OEA, MOCA 25, Life member VFW National Home for Children, Parishioner of St. Anthony Fairport Harbor Church, member of St. Anthony’s Altar and Rosary Guild.
When asked how she is doing, she always replied with an upbeat “fine and dandy”!
In her words- “Whenever a ray of sun breaks through in your hearts, I will be singing and smiling for the family I love dearly!”
Donations in Vange’s memory may be made to St. Anthony Fairport Harbor 316 Fifth St. Fairport Harbor, OH 44077 or VFW National Home for Children 3573 S Waverly Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes of Fairport Harbor, Painesville, Madison & Chardon. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com .