Constance Anne Perkins

Constance Anne Perkins, an advocate for residents of East Harlem, and a children's and religious books publicist who enjoyed the opportunities to work with Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Abraham Heschel, and Martin Luther King Jr., died on Monday, July 5, 2021, at the age of 90. A native of Santa Monica and graduate of Scripps College, Anne moved to New York as a young woman where she worked in the religious books division of Harpers. She then served on the staff and board of Union Settlement, one of the early and largest settlement houses in the city, providing education, health services, senior services, youth development, childcare, counseling and economic development programs for East Harlem. During the Carter Administration, Anne served as Director of Intergovernmental & Congressional Affairs for the New York Region in the Department of Health Education and Welfare. Later in her career, in addition to doing fundraising and public relations for several smaller organizations, she earned a Master's Degree in Divinity and served as a hospital chaplain.

Anne, a world traveler, was most at home in her adopted New York. In her almost 60 years in the city, she regularly hosted her siblings, parents, nine nephews and nieces, twelve great-nephews and nieces, many cousins, and godchildren on visits to Manhattan and for plays and concerts. A devout Episcopalian, Anne attended St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue.

She was preceded in death by her three siblings, Walter Perkins, Ronald Perkins, and Mary Perkins King. Anne moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2012 to be closer to family. She enjoyed her time living at Atria Vista Del Rio Senior Living Community. Anne spent the quarantine year at The Retreat, a loving and caring community.

A family service will be held at a later date in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anne will be laid to rest in Glendale, California. Gifts in Anne's memory can be sent to Union Settlement, 237 East 104th Street, New York, NY 10029-5404 or given online at unionsettlement.org.