Gumz, S. Peris, 61, of Belmont, MA, formerly of Berea, OH. Beloved spouse of Annie Powell, inspirational step-parent of Brian Veivia (Tiffany). The very best sister of Lisa Tuck (Daniel). Cherished Teta of David Tuck (Meghan), John Tuck (Kendal) and Julie Pozzuto (Stewart). Great-Teta of Ozzie and Lukey. Remarkable daughter of the late Zora and Russell Gumz. Near to the heart of all of her cousins. Known by a multitude of people all over the world as a treasured friend and colleague.

Peris devoted her life to loving and inspiring other people. She lit up any room she entered with her smile, her outrageous sense of humor, and her genuine curiosity about every person she met. After graduating with a Masters degree in international business, Peris started her career at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA, where she used her creative brilliance and wit to trade energy resources for coffee or other goods in cash-strapped countries of the world. Peris believed in the power of natural healing and was a student, teacher, and practitioner of homeopathy since 1999. She was an engaging, inspiring, and beloved teacher and mentor to many as a core faculty member of the Teleosis Homeopathic Collaborative. Peris became an RN in 2005 and brought her loving spirit and enlivening love of life to the Whidden Hospital in Everett, MA for the last 12 years. She began every morning in the chapel, praying to use her skills well to do the right thing. She experienced moments of grace nearly every day in her interactions with colleagues, patients—everyone at the Whidden. No matter where she went, Peris had a way of inviting people to love themselves more and to change their lives for the better.

Peris identified deeply with her Croatian heritage and the blending of cultures in the former Yugoslavia. She was fluent in Serbo-Croatian. At the start of the Balkan War, in 1992, Peris created a non-profit organization called WorldReach and spent time in the refugee camps, offering support to the displaced women and children. She also taught American soldiers to speak basic phrases of the language before being deployed on peacekeeping missions in Bosnia. She loved to play Croatian music on the tamburitza and accordion.

Peris passed away peacefully on November 13, 2017 in the presence of Annie and Lisa in her home in Belmont. Her deep spiritual faith, beloved family, devoted friends, and remarkable team of doctors and health practitioners supported her throughout this past year. In MA, friends and family are invited to visit at Annie and Peris' home, 61 Trowbridge Street, Belmont, MA from 3-7pm on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. In OH, visitors are welcome to call on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 3-7pm at Baker, Osinski, Kensinger Funeral Home, 206 Front Street, Berea, OH. A funeral service will be held at St. Mary Church, 250 Kraft Street, Berea OH on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 10am. A celebration of Peris' life will be held in the Boston area when the lilacs bloom in the spring. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Peris, please find new ways to be kind and new moments to say thank you.