Bernice (Perlmutter) Satin

The world is now deprived of the deeply caring, insightful, and intelligent presence Bunny brought to anyone in her orbit.

Bunny (Perlmutter) Satin was born the daughter of immigrants and grew up as a small-town girl in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Bunny was smart. She excelled in academics and graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree in education. She was a lifelong learner and enjoyed reading and taking classes

Bunny was adventurous. She met her husband, David, at the Wellesley Human Relations Service where she was a researcher. After they married, her adventuresome spirit was unleashed. They lived in South Dakota, North Carolina, and Aberdeen, Scotland before settling in Newton. Later, they travelled to five continents and, being the lover of learning she was, she delighted in these experiences.

Bunny was shy, though you’d never know it because she was a wonderful conversationalist. When she’d be with other people, be it family, friends, or people new to her, her priority was to make them feel comfortable and valued. She would pay special attention to those she thought needed to be uplifted, such as shy people and those marginalized by others’ prejudices.

To highlight just a few of the ways her presence made a difference to the people in her life, here are some vignettes in the life of Bunny:

Bernice sits comfortably in her reading chair in the living room, the newspaper spread across her lap. As she scans the headlines, she shares thoughtful observations with her husband, David, weaving together insight and empathy. Their conversation flows easily—Bernice reflecting not only on the facts of world events, but also on the human stories behind them, her comments marked by both intellect and compassion.

At a family gathering, Bunny approaches her niece’s young son with a warm smile and an easy, welcoming presence. She asks him about his life—what he enjoys, what he’s been doing lately—and listens closely to his answers. Her questions are thoughtful and genuine, helping the conversation grow naturally. As she engages him, she makes sure he feels seen, valued, and completely at ease, turning a simple interaction into a moment of real connection.

A friend is troubled by a problem and calls Bunny for support. Bunny has been a steadfast presence—someone she could rely on in times of need, no matter how big or small the challenge. Bunny meets her friend with patience and compassion, talking things through thoughtfully and supportively, whether the problem lasts for days or decades. Her friend feels her deep and abiding kindness and compassion, and it leaves a lasting imprint.

After 67 years of marriage, her beloved husband David passed, leaving Bunny deeply missing him. She  often spoke of him with tenderness and admiration. She would say he was her rock—the steady, grounding presence who supported her through everything.

Bunny was predeceased by her parents, Anna and David Perlmutter; sisters Hope Langburd (Harry), and Lucille Cherenson (Edward), and her brother Howard Perlmutter (Fotini). She leaves her devoted daughter Diana Satin and son-in-law Steve Quann. She also leaves beloved nieces Dena Cherenson and Debbie Field and her husband Steven and nephews Andrew Cherenson and his wife, Suzanne, Alan Langburd and his wife Lisa, and Peter Langburd and his wife Cindy, in addition numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery in Natick on Monday, April 13, at 12 pm, followed by a gathering at 21 Whittlesey Road, Newton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors without Borders, Rosie’s Place, or a charity of your choice.