Obituary of Michelle Giselle Perkinson

Michelle G. Perkinson, 78, of Colts Neck passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in the comfort of her home.

Michelle was born in St. Agnant, France. She lived in France until the age of 10, when she moved to Staten Island, NY with her family. She learned to speak English, but never forgot her native tongue and was fond of speaking and enjoying all things French. In 1992, she traveled back to France and reunited with long-lost family members including her birth father, Louis Masse and her siblings Bernard, Lili, and Corinne. Thereafter, she was a frequent traveler to France, where she would spend a month or two each year in Fromentine. She loved seafood, pastries, champagne, and especially the oysters. In addition to France, she traveled to many places both in the U.S. and around the world, including Italy, Spain, Canada, and Iceland. Travel was one of her greatest passions.

Michelle graduated with her master’s degree in speech pathology from Rutgers University. She worked as a speech pathologist for CPC Integrated Health in Morganville, NJ, for many years until she retired.

After retiring from CPC, Michelle and her friend Sandy Anderson co-founded New Destinies 4 Kids (ND4K), a charity for children of incarcerated parents. She and Sandy, along with Pastor Debbie Jensen, were actively involved with the organization for a number of years. Her work exemplified her generous and loving heart and her tireless enthusiasm for using her talents in the service of others.

Michelle was a devoted member of the Colts Neck Reformed Church. She was involved in many aspects of church life, including Bible study, adult education, book discussion, the search committee, the Election Day Bazaar, and The Women of D’Vine. She created many lifelong friendships and was deeply loved and admired by her church family.

Michelle is survived by her loving husband William B. Perkinson; her three children and their spouses Kevin Delacruz (Danny Griffin) of Interlaken, NJ, Scott Perkinson (Teresa) of Freehold, NJ, and Laura Graham (Tim) of Seattle, WA; her five siblings Marie Putnam (John), Carol Rigatti (Devery), Bernard Masse, Lili Piberne (Pierot), and Corinne Masse-Drovet; her six grandsons Zachary Delacruz, Liam, Dylan, and Sean Perkinson, and Noah and Elijah Graham; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Christanne Palmer, father Louis Masse and stepfather Drew Palmer.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 19^th, 2023 at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 County Rd 537, Colts Neck, NJ from 1:00-2:00pm, with a service starting at 2:00pm, followed by light refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ  07728. To find directions to the church or leave a message of condolence, please visit at www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Colts Neck Reformed Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, the ASPCA, or another charity of your choice.