Evelyn Jean Perkins

Evelyn Jean Perkins of Boston and Philadelphia passed away comfortably at the age of 93 on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. She was a woman of style and grace who enjoyed loving and being loved by many families and friends. She was the first-born child of Lee and Mary Perkins in Philadelphia. The family would grow to include four younger siblings: Lois Timbers (deceased), Leola Epps (deceased), David Perkins (deceased) and Ralph Perkins. This warm and welcoming family became the hub of a neighborhood community in Philadelphia in the 1940’s and ‘50’s. Evelyn would graduate from West Philadelphia High School and go on to work for the federal government as a clerical worker at the Navy Shipyard, Veteran’s Administration and Federal Court’s Probation Office. Evelyn was a great lover of music and saw many of the nation’s greatest jazz artists and pop singers of her time in live performance.

She had one daughter, Merle Perkins of Boston. They shared a close bond; love for each other and a mutual love for music. When Evelyn retired from her job in Philadelphia, she moved to Boston to join Merle and her husband, Peter Rempelakis. Evelyn spent her early retirement years caring for many of Merle and Peter’s friends’ children. Each child and their family were very special to her and her to them. Eventually, she was able to care for her own grandchild, Cyrus Rempelakis Perkins of Boston, whom she loved with all of her heart.

Evelyn spent her last years in assisted living at the Sophia Snow House in West Roxbury. Her final days were spent at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in hospice care. Her family is very grateful for the wonderful care she received in both places. The family is also indebted to the heart-felt support of their church, the United Parish in Brookline. In addition to the family mentioned above, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Dr. Clara Whaley-Perkins of Philadelphia and Edie Perkins of Stone Mountain, Georgia, her niece, Jeffri Epps of Atlanta, her nephews, Carlton Epps of Philadelphia, Christian Epps of Los Angeles, Allen Perkins of Medellin, Columbia, Roth Perkins of Wayne, PA and Nicholas Perkins of Miami. She is also survived by many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Every member of her family was a great source of love and pride for her.

Arrangements for a memorial service will be provided at a later date.