Mary Ann Perper's Obituary
Mary Ann Perper (née Hillow) passed away in Boca Raton, FL, on August 30, 2019, at the age of 96. A charming, dynamic, and determined woman, Mary asked us all for our best, always. Her smile could melt glaciers; her friendships were forged with iron; she had no patience with pretension; and were she with us today, she would poke at us with her finger and tell us to get on with our lives. Throughout her life, she gave countless people a leg up towards making their own lives better.
She was born in Washington DC, the youngest of nine children, and told many colorful stories about her years at the family home, “901.” She moved to Miami Beach, FL, in the 1950s with her Boxer dog Mollie, the first of many Boxer “children.” She married Harold Perper there in 1959 and soon became one of the very few female stockbrokers of the era. In 1964, Mary and Harold joined his father, Frank, as Holiday Inn franchisees, building and operating Holiday Inns in Virginia, Washington DC, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. During those years, they lived in both DC and FL. After retiring in the 1990s, Mary and Harold lived full time in FL and became active volunteers and generous donors to various organizations, including Lynn University, Florence Fuller Child Development Center, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Trustbridge, Tri-County Animal Rescue, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue, Boca Raton Museum of Art, and many others.
Her survivors include son Stanley (Ann), daughter Binnie (Themeos Drossos), grandchildren Ben (Amanda) Perper and Kate (Tyler) Welti, three great-grandchildren, niece Helen Otte, the Perpers’ lifetime aide-de-camp Kevin Johnson, and Goddaughter Catherine Mary Rafferty. In lieu of flowers or donations, please give flowers to someone you love.
Funeral services will be at Temple Beth El (333, SW 4th Avenue, Boca Raton FL) at 1 pm on September 22, 2019.
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