Obituary of Violet Willis Pera

Violet Pera (nee Willis) of Saddle River, NJ passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, June 21^st at the age of 95.  Violet was born in Clifton, NJ before moving to Saddle River 53 years ago. She was an active parishioner of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Saddle River, NJ.  One of the first women of her time to obtain her broker’s license, Violet pursued a lifelong career as a real estate broker for Gateway Realtors in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ and Pace Real Estate in Lodi, NJ. In her youth, she volunteered for both the Valley Hospital Auxiliary and the Saddle Brook Hospital Auxiliary where she served as Auxiliary President.  Violet enjoyed cooking and spending time with family and friends.  She was the beloved wife of Joseph Pera to whom she was married for 65 years before his passing in 2010. Devoted mother of Patricia Pera and her husband Allen, of Sarasota, FL, Peggy Pera Connolly and her husband Jim, of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Paulette Pera Laurenzi and her husband John, of Franklin Lakes, NJ.  Loving grandmother of Bobby Barbaris, Lisa Blaikie, her husband Blair, and, James Connolly, Kevin Connolly, and Craig Connolly, and Matthew Laurenzi. Adored great grandmother of Gabrielle Block, Alexandra Block, Paul Jon Block and Christian Blaikie and great great grandmother of Tyler. 

Family and friends may call at Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff, NJ on Tuesday, June 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, June 26 at 10:00 am at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Saddle River, NJ.  Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Paterson, NJ where she will join her parents, Nellie and Michael Willis and her husband's parents, Josephine and Samuel Pera. Joseph's ashes will also be buried with her. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Violet's memory may be made to Spring Lake Toys Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps local children with serious illnesses, at 852 Franklin Ave., Suite 115, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417