Hannah Mary Perate

Hannah Mary Perate, 77, of Riverside CA, originally from Philadelphia, PA, passed away Thursday June 14, 2024 at her home.  She was born at home in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Frank Leo and Hannah Mary (Arnold) Perate.

Hannah is survived by 2 sisters: Catherine Naomi Perate Caracciolo and Dolores Marie (Steve) Perate Mynatt; several nieces and nephews: Charles (Mary Jo) Caracciolo Sr., Deborah (Bob) Caracciolo-Smith, Karen Caracciolo Bryan, Matthew Caracciolo, Timothy (Heather) Caracciolo and Stephen (Nicole) Mynatt; and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother in law, Charles “Gerado” Caracciolo; niece, Diane I. Caracciolo Wilson; and great nephew, Leon Edward Wilson Jr.

Hannah attended St. John’s Catholic School in Lakemont for her 7th and 8th grade school years. After leaving St. John’s she attended school in Guam on the Marianna Islands. After graduating high school in California, she entered the convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Burlingame, CA. She was a nun for 14 years and taught school while in the convent.

Hannah Mary taught school at Wrightwood Elementary School District in Wrightwood, CA for 35 years, where she retired. She really enjoyed teaching her second graders because they were always excited to learn something new. Her students called her “Miss. Mary.” One of her students was the nephew of the singer, Johnny Mathis.

Hannah Mary liked to swim, read, write poetry and pen calligraphy. She also loved animals, especially cats, which she owned several of them throughout her lifetime.

Hannah Mary was a honor member of the Teacher Society – PHI BETTA KAPPA Honor Society, the oldest academic honor society in the U.S.

Hannah Mary had two poems published in the book “New Voices in American Poetry” in 1979.

Hannah Mary was also a breast cancer survivor for 30 years.

Hannah Mary loved her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews by remembering them on their birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.

A private viewing will be held at the convenience of the family. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are by Santella Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Hannah Mary to the Society of the Little Flower (St. Theresa) 1313 N. Frontage Rd. Darien, IL 60561 (www.littleflower.org); or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital PO Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101; or to the Central PA Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd. Altoona PA 16602.

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