Wearing the dress she received a marriage proposal in, and covered with an Afghan that her late mother Diane Sheley crocheted, Annette Perkins was laid to rest in a bamboo casket at West Granville Cemetery, Milwaukee. Prayers were given by her niece Emme Perkins.
Annette was born in 1968 to Thomas and Diana Sheley in Encino, California. She grew up near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and graduated from Mishicot High School.
She met her future husband, Anthony Perkins, at UW-Green Bay. They were both music students. In 1991, Annette said yes to the marriage proposal, and the couple moved to Marinette, Wisconsin.
While there, the greatest joy in Annette’s life happened when Forresta, her daughter, was born.
Moving to Milwaukee, Annette graduated from UW-Milwaukee with honors in music performance. She played oboe and English horn with the Concord Chamber Orchestra and other ensembles in the Milwaukee area. At the Bristol Renaissance Faire, she performed as a recorder soloist. She taught 100s of students through her private music studio for over 30 years.
Nine years ago, Annette became suddenly and unexpectedly disabled and could no longer delight in her lifelong passion for performing music. Sadness filled her days. On June 8, 2026, Annette entered heaven, and today she is making music with the angels. Her dream to perform music again has come true.
Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with string and wind instruments! Psalm 150:4
Annette is survived by her husband, Tony; their daughter, Forresta; father, Tom (Yvonne) Sheley; sister, Jackie (Mark) Krull; nieces, Emme Perkins and Erin (Benny) Draghi; nephews, Preston (Kourtney) Perkins and Luke (Savana) Krull; her feline support companion, Miss Melody; and cat, Dudley.
To plant a tree in memory of Annette Marie Perkins, please visit our Tribute Store.