Rita Kocher Perna - Obituary

ita Mae Kocher Perna, 89, a seven year resident of Annapolis and formerly of Silver Spring for 46 years passed away April 8, 2008 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center of Congestive Heart Failure after a 4 month illness. Born May 26, 1918 in Hazleton, PA, she graduated from Hazleton High School in 1936. Rita was the venerable “Rock” in the lives of her family and friends, a steady guiding force who helped each of us down life's path. Through all of our trials and tribulations, she was always there for us and for this, we thank her. We will always love and honor her memory. She was a writer and inspirational speaker. Rita had been a member of Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, MD for 40 years. For many years she was a lay speaker in the United Methodist Baltimore Conference; author of The Secret of Living (1996), and of monthly columns in the Washington, D.C. Salvation Army newsletter. In Annapolis she was active in Christian Writers Group, “Daughters of The King” prayer circle and the adult Sunday School of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, as well as the Cardiac Exercise Group of AAMC and class of '39 wives of the Naval Academy. She was a member of “Naomi Sisters” at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis. She is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Michael Archangel Perna, whom passed away in 1990. Mother of Michael (Heath Dillard) Lewis Perna of New York, NY, Roger (Belinda) Dennis Perna of Cincinnati, OH and Elizabeth (Frederick) Anne Leventry of Annapolis. Grandmother of Vincent M. Perna, Rebecca D. Perna, Robin Pass, Roy F. Leventry and Rita Roberge. Proud Great Grandmother of Camille Perna, Lily Perna, Alexa Roberge, Michael Roberge, Zachary Roberge, Kate and McKendree Pass. She is predeceased by her parents George Washington Kocher and Elizabeth Schultz and also by her grandparents John and Susan Schultz and by one sister Dorothy Schoener of Orwigsburg, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Perna's Life Celebration on Friday, April 11 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:30am at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis. Interment Parklawn Memorial Cemetery, Rockville. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Phillips Episcopal Church Columbarium Fund, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or the charity of ones choice.