Ines Perez of Guilford passed away peacefully at the age of 91, in the early morning of Aug. 9 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the beloved wife of Fernando L. Perez, who predeceased her in 2018. Ines was born in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, on May 18, 1932, the daughter of the late Francisco and Victoria (Diaz) Serrano. She was one of seven siblings, leaving behind three living sisters.

She was a longtime resident of Guilford for over 63 years. She loved to cook and spend time with family and friends. Ines was an advocate for introducing the Spanish Mass in St. George Church in Guilford and later at St. Mary’s Church in Clinton. She was a catechism teacher, sang in the church choir, and was always ready to lend a hand to those in need. She worked as a preschool teacher’s assistant at Calvin Leete School, where she was the first Latina hired to assist with the Spanish-speaking students who had moved to town.

She is survived by her three children, Luis Fernando Perez “Fred” (Lissette) of Guilford, Jose David Perez (Janette) of Guilford, and Aleida Perez of Branford. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Veronica Perez, Elida Plaza, and Samari Plaza, and five loving great-grandchildren: Luis, Lilianna, Lyla, Christian, and Daniel.

Friends were invited to calling hours on Aug. 13 at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Aug. 14 at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will follow in Westside Cemetery, 55 Three Mile Course, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.