Lauren Sterling Perlman

Lauren Sterling Perlman, age 45, left this world after a courageous battle with breast cancer on December 4, 2012, surrounded by her family and closest friends at her home in Pinecrest. Lauren was a stunningly beautiful, bright, sensitive, and caring wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. Throughout her life, Lauren exhibited an indomitable fighting spirit. Her way was to find a way, overcoming any obstacle in her path. She demanded excellence from herself and from everyone else.

A devoted wife to Jonathan and loving mother to Zachary and Lindsey, Lauren lived her life for her family. Lauren was the most extraordinary mother in the world to her children. When she decided to leave the professional world to devote herself entirely to her family, she created a nurturing and loving environment in the home.

Though her time with them was cut short, she imparted more of her life lessons and beliefs in the few years they had together than most people can do if given a lifetime.

She put her passion for life into everything she did from an early age, from her time as a cheerleader at Palmetto High School to her days at Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority at the University of Florida. Lauren always made a personal connection with those around her and charmed them with her eternal optimism, sense of humor and her generous spirit.

In 1993, she married the love of her life, Jonathan Perlman, and their 19-year marriage only got stronger and deeper with each passing year. Together, they shared their passion for sports including countless Dolphin and Miami Heat games as well as annual ski trips, boating, scuba diving, and many fun-loving family adventures.

After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and her MBA in Finance from the University of Miami, Lauren traveled up the ranks and held management positions at companies such as Southeast Bank, Ryder Corporation and Assurant Group, where she served as Vice President of Finance.

Eventually, she took on her most rewarding job, home schooling her daughter Lindsey for two years while undergoing chemotherapy at the same time.

Although Lauren’s battle with breast cancer started at the age of 35 and went into remission for six years, she was able to use her experiences to mentor and touch the lives of many women affected by this disease. Lauren was active in breast cancer support groups, encouraging others to never give up and fight through the adversity.

An avid runner, Lauren found tremendous strength with each step, with each mile, with each stretch of her journey. Lauren amazed her doctors and friends by running before each chemotherapy session, including her very last.

She will always be remembered for her determination, courage and strength that never wavered even during the most difficult of circumstances. She was a life force and will be missed by everyone she touched.

A third-generation Miamian, Lauren was blessed with loving and supportive parents, Dr. Robert and Nancy Pepper Sterling and two amazing brothers, Lee (Kim) and Craig (Janie) who will forever remember her as their “kid” sister - a soccer star and cheerleader at K-Land Park in Kendall. She is also survived by loving brother and sister-in-laws Andrew and Leslie Perlman and Wendy Perlman and Peter Antoszyk.

Lauren is also survived by her mother-in-law Rita Perlman; nieces and nephews: Sydney, Brooke, Daniel, Matthew, Jill, Justin, Jordan, Tyler Trevor, Todd and Timothy. She is predeceased by her father, Dr. Robert Sterling, and father-in-law David Perlman.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Beth David Congregation, 2625 SW 3rd Avenue. The service will be followed by internment at Mt. Nebo Miami, 5505 N.W. 3rd Street. Immediately after the internment, Shiva will be observed and on Saturday