Sarah Teresa Perrella

Sarah Teresa Perrella, nee Lynch, 88, of Denver, Colorado died peacefully on December 22, 2025. Daughter of the late Thomas and Ellen (Molloy) Lynch of Ballyvary, County Mayo, Ireland, she is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Donald Joseph Perrella; her siblings, Bridget Agnes (Sr. Bernadette), Mary Ellen, Patrick Joseph, Margaret Carmel (Anthony DeLeon), and Michael Anthony; and her sister-in-law Patricia (Perrella) Monahan and her husband, Frank. She is survived by her son Patrick; her daughter, Eileen (Shane McClung); her three granddaughters, Emily Lowell, and Treasa and Trisha McClung; her sister-in-law Bridie Lynch, as well as her 13 nieces and nephews and 32 great nieces and nephews.

Known to her friends as Sal and Sally, she was born on the family farm in Carrigan in Atticahill County Mayo, Ireland and attended the Balla Secondary School. She followed her three older sisters into nursing and studied at Walden Hospital in Liverpool, England, becoming a registered nurse and midwife. After working as a midwife in London for several years, in 1963 she emigrated with her sister Carmel to the United States and eventually settled in New York City, working at the Hospital for Special Surgery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Sally met her future husband at a Church dance and shortly after getting married in 1967, moved to New Jersey, first to Matawan, and then to West Windsor. After taking time off to raise her children, she became a real estate saleswoman with Century 21 Realty and went back to nursing.Sally and Don retired to Naples, Florida in 1996 and thoroughly enjoyed the southwest Florida lifestyle. Sally moved to Denver, Colorado in 2023 to be closer to her son.

Devoted to her Roman Catholic faith for her entire life, Sally performed numerous duties for her parishes in New Jersey and Florida, including ministry to the sick and homebound, eucharistic minister, fundraising, leading the rosary and chaplet of the divine mercy groups, and altar linen ministry. She also visited many Marian Shrines around the world including Knock (Ireland), Lourdes (France), Medjugorje (Bosnia), and Guadeloupe (Mexico). She made two Holy Year Pilgrimages to Rome, and an unforgettable trip to the Holy Land. In her later years, she influenced everyone she met with her piety and religious devotion.

Sally was gregarious and made lifelong friends wherever she lived. She loved to dance, play card games, particularly bridge and Uno, painting, walks on the beach, and spending time with family. She became a huge fan of Notre Dame football and watched almost every televised game for over 35 years. She always took great joy in returning to Ireland and receiving visitors form her homeland.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association online or at PO Box 105, Glenolden, PA 19063, USA.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 3060 South Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO 80222.

A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 AM also at Risen Christ Catholic Church. (Funeral Mass will be live-streamed, risenchristchurch.org)