Jane Elizabeth Perna, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on
December 31, 2025 after a courageous 2 year battle with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile
duct cancer). Jane was seventy-five years old, born on July 4, 1950 in Manhattan,
New York. She moved to Long Island, New York where she raised her family
before eventually settling in Powell, Tennessee.
Jane is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Madlyn and Andrew Erdely,
her father Raymond Lacy, and her beloved dog Rosie.
Jane’s greatest joy and happiness was found in her family. She is survived by her
three children, eleven grandchildren, siblings, former husband and many other
family members: son Andrew J. Perna II (wife Angela), their children Carys,
Madalynn, Hayden, Maddox, and Sofia; daughter Amy J. Smith (husband Kevin),
their children Isabelle and Addison; son Michael V. Perna (wife Joann), their
children Joseph, Michael, Vincent (wife Taylor), and Kalyssa; brother Joseph Lacy
(wife Jayna); sister Susan Lacy Fisher (husband Gary); brother James Urcuiolio
(wife Laura); former husband Andrew J. Perna, though their relationship did not
remain permanent they remained friends over the years.
Jane made the most of the last six months of her life by doing things she loved
most. She was able to go with her daughter and granddaughters to Englewood
Beach, Florida where they spent many nights sitting on the beach watching the
beautiful sunsets. Jane was able to attend her grandson’s wedding in Blue Ridge,
Georgia where she enjoyed time with many relatives and had her last dance with
her former husband Andrew. As her last trip back to Long Island, New York to
visit friends and meet family for the first time. Each trip she was able to make was
a blessing. Jane enjoyed watching Heartland and The Great Cake Bake, along with
listening to worship music. She loved gardening and crafting, as well as time with
her neighbors/friends at Blueberry Ridge Apartments. She loved organizing potluck lunches with her friends under the gazebo. Jane was thankful for the
friendships made at the Cancer Support Group of East Tennessee and the support
and care given by them.
A private cremation through Dogwood Cremation has taken place to honor Jane’s
wishes. A Celebration of Life will be held at OneLife Church-Ball Road Campus,
7421 Ball Road, Knoxville, TN 37931 on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The family
will receive friends from 3:00pm-5:00pm and a service will follow at 5pm,
officiated by Reverend Rodney Arnold. In lieu of flowers, the family would like
donations to be made in Jane’s memory to Sacred Ground Hospice House (1120
Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918). Sacred Ground provided Jane with
amazing care the last six weeks of her life. The family would like to thank Sacred
Ground Hospice House and Gentiva Hospice for all their excellent support and
care. Their nurses, care givers, and social workers treated Jane and her family with
so much respect, love, and prayers through this journey.
