BALLSTON SPA — Jane Marie Cahey Perka, 91, of 43 Liberty Drive in Ballston Spa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on August 28.
Jane was born in New London, Connecticut to the late Thomas Joseph Cahey and Mary Elizabeth Hendry Cahey.
Jane attended St. Mary’s Catholic primary school and then graduated from Williams Memorial Institute for Girls in New London. She completed the Nursing Program at The Lawrence Memorial School of Nursing, also in New London. Following nursing school, Jane worked as a telephone operator during World War II and always had many fascinating tales to tell from that time.
Upon his return from the Army, she married her “sweetheart,” Staff Sargent Edward John Perka, on February 28, 1945 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New London. The couple moved to Willimantic, Connecticut where Edward graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Civil Engineering. The growing family then moved to upstate New York where Jane has made her home for the past 60 years.
Jane is predeceased by her loving husband, Edward, who passed away on January 19, 1974; her beloved daughter, Kathleen Marie Perka Rozowicz, who passed away on April 5, 2000; and also by her beloved sister, Elizabeth Cahey Amanti, who passed away on July 3, 2013.
She is survived by her brother, Charles Cahey of Waterford Connecticut and her sister, Ruth Ann Cahey Ramaccia of Groton Connecticut. She is also survived by her children, Mary Jayne Kelleher of Ballston Spa; Barbara Bennett of Ballston Spa; Susan (Robert) Jacobson of Rexford; and Edward John Perka Jr. (Karen) of Burnt Hills. Jane is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She also had two sisters: Betsy, who recently passed away in 2013, and Ruth Ann; and a brother, Charlie.
After the death of her husband Ed, Jane volunteered at Wesley Nursing Home in Saratoga Springs. She then became Activity Director at the St. John Neumann Residence for retired Redemptorist priests in Saratoga where she created a much needed Activity Program for the residents. Jane bought much energy and laugher to the retired priests and was devoted to them. In addition to the in-house programs she developed, like bridge and music appreciation, holiday parties and Jubilees, Jane took the priests to SPAC and for boat rides on Lake George. It was often that Jane appeared home for dinner with one of her priests, and she was sadly missed when she retired in 1990. Jane was a lover of the arts and studied great artists and classical composers. She loved to play piano, to paint and draw and loved to sketch the grandchildren. She was an avid reader, a historic story teller and a classic prankster (no one was immune).
Our family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers for their compassion and kindness during Jane’s time of need. Arrangements will be handled by the Tunison Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. There will be no calling hours and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement Church, Saratoga, with a grave side service at the family’s convenience. Jane will be laid to rest beside her husband Edward and daughter Kathleen in Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.
“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality” Emily Dickinson. Online remembrances may be made at www.tunisonfuneralhome.com.
