Shirley Perigoni

Shirley Calico Perigoni, age 93, passed away at home on Monday, October 12, 2020. She was born on October 6, 1927 to Catherine and Angelo Calico in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She is preceded in death by her father Angelo Calico and mother, Catherine Petitfils Calico, her brother, Angelo Calico, Jr., and her daughter Diane Rita Perigoni.  Shirley Perigoni, affectionately known as “Bean”, was a devoted mother and grandmother.  As a single mom, she worked very hard to give her daughters every opportunity affordable.  She loved to cook and was a fastidious housekeeper.  But to capture the essence of our mother’s personality, she loved a good party. Her smile and laughter were as big and beautiful as her soul.  In her earlier years, she could be found singing on stage with the band, standing on tall ladders at Endymion and Bacchus parades and riding in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  She also was a huge Saints fan.  On Sundays during football season she could be found in the Dome cheering on the Saints. She never missed a game.  She was an employee of William B. Reilly for over 30 years.  For many years she worked in the kitchen at Kenner Seafood having a lot of fun with the employees and greeting customers.  She loved the casino and going to the Max, dining with all her friends at the Chef’s Table, and hearing The Yat Pak play.  She definitely was the life of the party. She lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and subsequently went to live with daughter Sylvia (and Trudy) where she thoroughly enjoyed the best years of her life.  She actually teased Sylvia about wanting to be buried in the back yard.  We know our mother was well loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.  She touched many hearts and everybody wanted to be like her.  She is survived by her daughters, Sheryleen Perigoni Grothus, Carole Perigoni Pardo,  and Sylvia Francis Perigoni; grandchildren, Jennifer Walker, Julie Melton, (Chad), Kristin Link, (Brian), Nicole Pardo and Scott Pardo.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Presley, Walker, Olivia, Nicholas, Chase, Emory, and Wyatt..  She is also survived by Trudy Alexander, whom she loved dearly and was like a daughter to her. Our family would like to thank the entire staff at Ochsner Main Campus, Tulane Medical Center, Hospice Compassus, Gene Stevens , and all EMS involved, for their professional service and exceptional care they’ve given to our Mother.  We will celebrate her life on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at St. Louis Cathedral 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.  Friends and relatives are invited to attend the visitation starting at 8:30 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. Father Bernard C. Francis Celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Roch #2 cemetery 1725 Music Street, New Orleans, LA 70117

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