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Catherine Perna Tesei, 100, Lifelong Greenwich Resident

GREENWICH, Conn. - Catherine "Kate" Perna Tesei of Greenwich died March 31. She was 100.

Tesei was born Feb. 7, 1914, in Greenwich, she was the daughter of James F. Perna and Anna Morano Perna. She was a lifelong area resident. She was a parishioner of Saint Roch of Greenwich and a member of Women's Catholic Council, she attended Greenwich High School and the Merrill Business School of Stamford.

She was a civic and community volunteer. Her elected career spanned more than four decades serving six terms as elected delegate for Representative Town Meeting, District 3, and had the distinction of becoming the first woman on the RTM Claims and Finance Committee. In 1976, she became an elected member to the Republican Town Committee, serving as district leader and executive board member for more than 30 years. A recipient of the William Minot award in 1985 and former Chairman of the Representative Town Meeting of the 3rd District, American Red Cross, Chairman of Community Chest, She was also former director of and six-year board member of Child and Family Center.

Tesei is survived by her brothers, Charles Perna of Springhill, Fla., and Floyd Perna of Burnsville, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, John Tesei; brothers, Rocco Perna, Francis Perna, Thomas Perna; and sisters, Virginia Judice, Carmella Kresan, and Florence Perna.

Calling hours are April 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Castiglione Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. April 5 at St Roch's Church. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to St Roch's Church.

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