Martzen "Mathilde" Perelas

Martzen “Mathilde” Perelas, 53, of Alamogordo, NM passed away surrounded by loved ones on March 27th, 2022 after an 8 year battle with colon cancer.

Mathilde was born on March 29th, 1968 to Theo and Janke Sandstra in Beverwijk, Netherlands. After graduating from high school in Leylestadt in 1987, she went on to study occupational therapy at Amersfoort and Arnhem.

In early 1990, Mathilde met John Perelas in Hilversum, Netherlands while John was stationed abroad. They immediately hit it off and married nearly 3 years later in late 1992. In 1993, she moved from the Netherlands to live with John in Newport News, Virginia. After her move to the United States, she found passion in customer service. She worked at JCPenney for a total of 16 years, most of which was spent working as a custom decorator, and had worked as Alamogordo's JCPenney store supervisor for 2 years.

Mathilde and John had their first child, Alexander, in 1995. Their second child, Katherine, was born in 1998. Mathilde was a fiercely dedicated mom and excelled at supporting her children in sports such as gymnastics and taekwondo, in extracurriculars like mathematics clubs, choir, or learning piano, and inspiring both Alexander and Katherine to pursue college education in graphic arts. Family came first and was above all else to Mathilde, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.

Mathilde was passionate about sewing, crotchet, and all things hands-on artistic. When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found sewing clothing and bags to gift friends and family. We will miss her greatly.

Mathilde was preceded in death by her father, Theo Sandstra. She is survived by her husband John Perelas, her children Alexander and Katherine Perelas, her mother Janke Sandstra, her brother Jaccob Sandstra, and Jacob's children Maike, Wouter, Tine, and Nanne Sandstra. 

The family will have a private funeral per Mathilde’s wishes. Friends are invited to say a final goodbye. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mathilde’s name to Fight Colorectal Cancer, https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/contact-us/. Please contact the family for further funeral information.

The Perelas family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the services.

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