S. DENNIS, MA – Roberta G. Perez (Tarala), 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. Known fondly to her friends and family as Robbie, she was born in Boston, MA to the late Edmund and Loretta (Jeneralczyk) Tarala. Raised in Westfield, MA she was a graduate of both Westfield High School and Westfield State College. After raising her family, Roberta returned to school and completed a K-12 teaching degree program from WSC and used it to lead an ESL program focused on helping Ukrainian and Russian immigrants living in the city of Westfield. She did this for a number of years while simultaneously working at Noble Hospital as a unit coordinator. She eventually relocated to South Dennis, MA and worked for Cape Cod Hospital in a similar capacity for 13 years before retiring.
Her passions included gardening, traveling, reading, spoiling her grandchildren and spending time on her beloved Corporation Beach. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her friends from Cape Cod Hospital and trying various local restaurants during their monthly dinner outings. Her travels brought her and her family all over Europe and as far away as Japan. A lover of history and architecture, she volunteered regularly at the Dewey House in Westfield and could be found exploring Beacon Hill gardens in Boston with her son.
Roberta is survived by her loving children, Lee R. Perez, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Parkville, MO, Karen M. Ernest and her husband Kevin of Severna Park, MD and Christopher J. Perez and his husband Joseph Guanci of Wakefield, MA and her five cherished grandchildren: Matthew, Emily, Ryan, Katie and Kyle. She is also survived by her brother Edmund Tarala, Jr. of Dennis, MA and his wife Carol, two sisters: Phillippa Burek and her husband John (Jack) of Mt. Dora, FL and Erica Everett and her husband Bill of Gloucester, MA.
She was predeceased by her ex-husband Lee and her sister Elizabeth Tarala.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects Thursday, August 4th, from 3-5 p.m. at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, MA. A funeral home service will follow the visiting hours. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Roberta’s name can be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. https://www.mspca.org/
