Mavis Ann (Payne) Perkins, 92, passed away peacefully in her home in Cedar Grove, NJ on
Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Mavis was born on July 14, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. She was
the daughter of Thomas L. and Kathleen Mullen Payne, and the fourth of five children. She was
a magna cum laude graduate of both Classical High School and Pembroke College, where she
met her husband Raymond B. Perkins, a 1952 graduate of Brown University. They were
married for 47 years until his passing in 1999.
Mavis and Raymond moved to Upper Montclair, NJ, where they became long time residents
and raised their family of six children. They were active members of Bradford Bath & Tennis
Club where they enjoyed many busy summers together with their children. Later, they became
members of the Montclair Golf Club and enjoyed relaxing social activities with good friends.
Mavis loved her family and friends, the New Jersey Shore, holidays, family traditions and over the-top decorations. She had a sharp sense of humor and even sharper wit which she wielded
frequently to the amusement, and sometimes chagrin, of many. She was charismatic, stylish,
sentimental, generous to a fault, loving, and the life of the party. She was a strong believer in
higher education and the positive influence of sports on children.
Mavis is survived by her six children: Nancy Blair Perkins of Highland Mills, NY; Elizabeth
Chaffee Perkins of Providence, RI; Raymond B. Perkins, Jr. of Budd Lake, NJ; Kathleen Stacey
Perkins of Alameda, CA; Timothy Payne Perkins of Santa Monica, CA; and Diane Patricia
Perkins of Cedar Grove, NJ. She is survived by twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by four siblings: Dr. Thomas L. Payne, Jr; Joan Cannon; Patricia Fleck;
and Richard S. Payne and survived by former sister in-law Dorothy Denning Payne.
Mavis will be deeply missed by family and friends. Family will continue her traditions in her
honor, especially the annual summers at the Shore.
Funeral services will begin on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 8:30 am at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:30 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Cedar Grove with interment to follow at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Upper Montclair, NJ. Visitation will be on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.
In lieu of donations, contributions to the Alzheimer's Association in her memory are gratefully
appreciated. Donations can be made at the Alzheimer's Association website: https://
www.alz.org/donate to make your gift.