Julia "Julie" (Handy) Perfetti

Julia “Julie” (Handy) Perfetti, passed away in her Norwood home on August 26, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Throughout her 89 years, Julie demonstrated a unique balance of a gentle soul with a feisty disposition that was admirable and endearing to everyone who knew her.

Julie was born on January 11, 1934 into an authentic Lebanese household and grew up in the South End of Boston with her parents, her brother Billy, and her sister Marion. The values she learned of family, love, and tradition shaped the lovely woman Julie became. As a traditional Arabic family, together they moved into a multi-family home in Roslindale where she would meet her future husband Tony, and spend most of her married life. She treated all her nieces and nephews as her own children and created special bonds with each of them. She proudly displayed and saved every gift we all ever gave her; homemade or otherwise. There was never a birthday, anniversary or graduation that happened without an infamous card, always on time, from Auntie Julie.

An adoring wife, caring aunt to her family, and a genuine friend to all who were blessed to have her in their lives. Warm and welcoming, Julie was the consummate host, always gracious and actually downright pushy. When you went to Julie and Tony’s for dinner, you truly witnessed a spectacle. Julie and Tony moved rhythmically in unison; he would prepare his famous linguine and clams while she brought out endless appetizers and made sure that no one's glass was empty. They would sing together over the delicious sauce and create not only a feast but an atmosphere like no other. Despite how full one may have felt, Julie’s pout for your not wanting a third plate of pasta was enough to lead you to fill up your plate once again and probably unbutton your jeans. Between the authentic Lebanese and Italian food in her kitchen, no one ever left hungry.

Julie’s generosity and graciousness extended beyond her family and created genuine relationships with whomever she met. Her infectious light and energy was far reaching. From Our Lady of Annunciation Church in West Roxbury all the way to Aruba, Julie was known to everyone. She was a dutiful volunteer at many community activities and all the church functions.

From the bazaars, hafla, bingo, carnivals, and Lenten suppers, you would always find her dashing around, making sure every detail was perfect. In her off time, Julie and Tony would flit off to Arbua for the month of March, spending lazy days worshiping the sun at the beach and admiring the beauty of the island. This was their paradise. There, they made lifelong friends who met every year to solidify this annual tradition.

Above all, Julie cherished her husband Tony, who was the love of her life for 57 years. Julie and Tony were never apart, enjoying their life together as true soulmates. The devotion they shared for one another was incredible to witness, defined true love, and is what everyone hopes their marriage to be.

Julie Perfetti will be immensely missed, but she will never leave the hearts of those she touched throughout her lifetime.

Julie was the dear devoted wife of Anthony Perfetti. Loving sister of the late Marion Donley and her late husband Arthur and the late William Handy. Dear sister-in-law of Jeanne Handy of Foxboro and Emma DeGirardi of Italy. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews.

Julie's Funeral Service will be held Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 12 p.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, 7 VFW Pkwy, WEST ROXBURY. Visitation in the Cathedral beginning at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Julie’s memory may be made to the Cathedral or to VNA Care – Needham, 199 Rosewood Dr. Ste. 180, Danvers, MA 01923.

Julie will be laid to rest at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.

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