Obituary of Audrey M. Perugini

Audrey May (Beattie) Perugini

May 23, 1932 – October 18, 2025

Audrey May Beattie was born at home in Aberdeen, Scotland in May 1932. Family lore has it that, as a newborn, she was so small and frail that the midwife felt duty-bound to inform the mother that her baby was too weak to survive. Out of kindness, we suppose, she suggested that the infant be placed in her cot by the window and allowed to "quietly expire". Audrey's mother wouldn't hear of it though, she just reached out her arms and said "give her here."

Sadly, the midwife's prediction came true on October 18, 2025 when Audrey Beattie Perugini, small and frail, did indeed quietly expire at home, embraced in the love of her family. She was 93 years old.

Audrey grew up with her beloved older sister and lifelong best friend, Kathleen "Kay" LaRouche. Despite a childhood marred by the hardships of World War II, the family persevered. Her father worked as a projectionist in the cinema and Audrey loved going to watch the picture shows. As he worked his way up to theatre management, the family moved to England where they lived in High Wycombe and Bletchley before finally emigrating to America after the war. She lived mainly in northern New Jersey: Newark and East Orange, Morris Plains and then finally Mount Arlington, where she raised her family and lived for the past 60 years.

Audrey met the love of her life on a blind date, but not in the way you might think. Her sister and brother-in-law had set her up with Ray, and the two couples went on a double-date to the movies. As it happened, Eddie's friend Mike Perugini came home on leave from the Navy that weekend and tagged along as a "fifth wheel" on the date. Audrey said she knew right away he was The One. Apparently, he also knew a good thing when he saw it and the rest is history. They were married in 1956 and she supported him as he finished his education, then together they raised a family, ran a business, went camping, traveled a bit, became grandparents and stood steadfastly beside each other through good times and bad. They were married for 58 years until his death in 2014 at the age of 84.

As a youngster, and throughout her life, her interests were many and varied. She loved animals and had many cats and dogs as pets from a young age. She and her sister enjoyed horseback riding, learned to dance at Arthur Murray, and took painting classes. For as long as her eyesight allowed, she was a voracious reader. And long before it became trendy, Audrey was a "Maker." She loved the simple pleasure of creating and crafting. Over the years she tried her hand at painting, sewing, stained glass, decoupage, macrame, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, upcycling and more. And she made many great Halloween costumes.

Between the bookends of her life, and true to her Scottish upbringing Audrey rarely complained, even as her health, vision and mobility began to decline. Rather than dwell on the negatives she preferred to "Keep Calm and Carry On." For her family, Audrey was certainly the calm and caring voice at the center of any storm.

Audrey was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Morris "Mike" Perugini, her parents, William and Grace Beattie, her sister Kay, and Kay's husband Adrian "Eddie" LaRouche. Also predeceasing her are the many furbabies that she will no doubt be reunited with on the Rainbow Bridge, including Gina, Tina, Pup, Susie, Joanz, Sophie, Sam, Daisey and Abby. She is survived by her four children: James (and Miryam), Valerie (and husband Dennis), Carol (and partner Justin) and Nancy (and husband Dave). She also leaves four grandchildren: Sarah (and husband Tom), Jenna, Lindsay, and Sam, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Audrey's life at a visitation on Sunday, November 2nd, 1PM – 4PM, at the Coach Room, 144 Mountain Ave, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.

A memorial service will be held privately at graveside as Audrey's ashes are laid to rest with her husband at St. John's Cemetery in Mike's hometown of Jessup, Pennsylvania.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the medical professionals and caregivers who helped Audrey so much during her later years and treated her with such kindness and consideration, especially Dr. Kaitlin Gonzales, Dr. Joel Eichler, Dr. Sapan Talati, Hilary Sugar, PA and Cathy Paluzzi. We are profoundly grateful to the kind and amazing people at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice (Deb, Carol, Bill, Jessica and Ruth) who gave Audrey, and all of us, an incredible amount of support, comfort and peace during and after her final few days.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Audrey's memory to: One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR), PO Box 248, Sparta, NJ 07871, or Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860.