Shirley M. (Dennison) Perona

Shirley May (nee Dennison) Perona – December 6, 1923 – June 29, 2026

Shirley Perona led an amazing and most accomplished life. Her focus was on those she loved.  As she said a couple weeks before her life on earth ended, “my family is the center of my universe”.  She was born on December 6, 1923, in Harvard, IL to Levi and Alice (nee Horn) Dennison. She passed away peacefully at the age of 102 at her daughter Lou Ann’s home surrounded by loving family.

As a teen Shirley loved horseback riding. When she was 14 her parents bought her a horse (Flash) for $35 which she rode 30 miles from Belvidere to Harvard to bring it home. She writes, “Don’t know who was the sorest – my butt or the horse’s hooves.” Next came her passion for tennis for which she won many tournaments.  Just a day before she passed, she was watching Wimbledon. As a teen Shirley loved to dance.  She and her friends would frequent the Dutch Mill and the Delavan Garden to “cut the rug”. Her athleticism didn’t stop at tennis.  She played 3rd base (because she had such a good arm) on the girl’s baseball team in Belvidere. This is the league that was started when the men were at war. In 1945 Shirley took flying lessons at Dacy airport from a WWII fighter pilot and was the first woman to solo from that airport. The list could go on, but these are the highlights.

Shirley married Louis Perona on May 14, 1955, at The Little Brown Church in the Vale near Nashua, Iowa. After Shirley started her family, she became an entrepreneur. She started a candle making business that necessitated turning the garage into a candle factory.  She later started a jewelry business and opened a store in Lake Geneva. She traveled to many destinations to find the best stones. Throughout her life, she was an accomplished knitter and at one time had a loom so she could weave. Many of her creations are enjoyed by her family and friends.

Shirley was a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen!  She loved to cook and bake and was able to do so up until her last months.  Her perfect pizza crust was never perfect enough as she continued to improve upon the latest recipe.  There was a trail of flour left in the wake.  She took great pride in passing on her culinary skills to her children and grandchildren.

Shirley’s life after having children revolved around her son Paul.  Paul was born with Down’s Syndrome and Shirley gave him the best life possible. She was a pioneer back in a day when people with DS were not as accepted as they are today – driving Paul three times a week to Rockford for education and supporting him throughout his adulthood. Her prayer of outliving him so he did not have to suffer through her death was answered. 

Shirley is survived by her loving children, Mary (David) Nelsestuen, Lou Ann (Mike) Gordon, Mike (Jeannine) Perona; grandchildren, Amy (George) Chavez, Krista (Don) Wilcox, Ashely Perona (Cameron Herold), Dana Gordon (Winston Turnbull), Jordan (Chad) Broughton, Jamie Gordon (John Moore), Kevin Gordon; great grandchildren Brayden Scullion, Brenna Scullion, Elise Turnbull, Juniper Broughton, Avery Moore; and her dear extended family Mary and Ray Anderson.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Levi "Link" and Alice Dennison; her husband, Louis Perona; and her son, Paul J. Perona. 

Shirley will be deeply missed by those who love her.  Rest in Peace Shirley May Perona.

There will be a celebration of life at the First Presbyterian Church of Harvard, 7100 Harvard Hills Rd, on Monday, July 27, 2026, with Pastor Claire Brennecka officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and a service will follow at 12:00 noon.  Following the service there will be a brief graveside service at Mount Auburn Cemetery, then a luncheon at the church.  

Shirley was a long-time member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Harvard where she at one time worked in the office.  In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in Shirley’s name to the First Presbyterian Church of Harvard, 7100 Harvard Hills Rd, Harvard, IL 60033. Memorial donations can also be made to JourneyCare Hospice at https://journeycare.org/donate/.

Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Perona family. Online guestbook at saundersmcfarlin.net. Call 815-943-5400 for more information.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.