05/17/2023
I don’t go to Facebook to post often, but Darlene meant so much to me. My first day as a prosecutor, I was in her arraignment session. I was told that if I wanted a chance to survive in the Worcester District Court, I best go over to “Madam Clerk” and introduce myself. I, as many previous and past attorneys, was a bit intimidated introducing myself to Darlene. She ran the tightest courtroom I’ve ever been in. She treated people fairly and with dignity, but she could care less who you were or what your title was. Everyone respected that.
I greeted her. She says, “So, I’m told you are a Rafferty, which one are you?” I said, “Well, I’m not originally from Worcester, but my dad was.” She says, “Try me.” I said, “Well, my dad’s name was Mickey.”
Her eyes lit up. She says, “I loved your father. How’s your mother Joan doing?” I couldn’t believe it. A sense of comfort rushed over me. She told me a quick story about my dad as they were childhood friends who grew up the next street over from one another. She said, “I always thought your father would be the lawyer from the neighborhood. He would be proud of you.” I went back to the prosecutor training me, who said to me with a chuckle, “Well that couldn’t have went any better.” Quite frankly, she truly was my first new friend at the courthouse on my first day as a lawyer.
Our relationship blossomed from work friends to family. She always protected me, whether in or outside the courtroom. We spent many memories outside of work, enjoying laughs and stories. Darlene came to my son’s baptism, and she insisted on making 100 meatballs…which she did. She truly was one of a kind.
I will never forget Darlene. I will always think of her when I’m in that arraignment session. The Worcester legal community suffered a tremendous loss on Mother’s Day, of all days. It breaks my heart we lost the “Mother Goose” of the Worcester District Court, on such a special day. She will be missed dearly. Thank you for the friendship and all your love. RIP, Madam Clerk
❤️ Paddy
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of Ms. Darlene Perro due to her sudden passing. Darlene was the heart and soul for decades in the Clerk Magistrate’s Office of the Worcester District Court. Darlene was second to none servicing the staff, lawyers, and public. She went above her job. She was so caring, that she wanted and learned the names of our family members and children. And always asked about them. There isn’t a SINGLE person more dedicated to their job. There never will be.
This one hurts. Rest in Peace Darlene. Thank you for always being so kind and a wonderful friend of the Raffertys ❤️
