- Date Of Death: December 12, 2010
- State: Connecticut
Demetra “DeDe” Daniel Perrelli, 72, fell asleep in The Lord Dec. 12, 2010, with the comforting Pawson Marsh on the Branford River in full view, and with her beloved son and her family by her side. “DeDe” was born in New Haven Nov. 2, 1938, daughter of the late Arthur and Florence Daniel. She graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1956 and Southern Conn. State University in 1960. She later earned her Master’s Degree at Southern. She taught in California for one year, returning to Connecticut in 1962 to become a teacher of Physical Education at Cheshire High School until 1969. She went on to become professor of Physical Education and Dance at Central Conn. State Univ. from 1969 to 1976 and became Chairperson of the Dance Dept. She took a leave from teaching to become a stay at home mom, but returned in 2002 to teach Dance/Movement at Central Connecticut from 2002 to 2004 and then became adjunct professor of Physical Education/Movement at Southern Connecticut from 2005 until her recent illness. She also served on the Board of Directors of a not-for-profit organization known as the Dance Alliance of New Haven. She is survived by her loving son, Adam Perrelli and his wife, Amber of Odenton, MD.; her sister, Barbara “Bobby” (Basil) Chaltas of Branford; two nephews, Basil (Anne Abramson) Chaltas Jr. of Chicago and Thano (Alison) Chaltas of Stamford; a grand niece and grand nephew, B.J. and Katherine Chaltas.
