Ina Mae Perkins
January 6, 1936 – December 24, 2024
Ina Mae Perkins (neé Schaefer) passed peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 at Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield. Beloved wife of William “Bill” Perkins of 62 years, prior to his passing on 12/28/2020. Dearest mother of Todd, Mother-in-law of Gina, and Grandmother of Charlie. Youngest sister of the late Joe Schaefer, Mel Schaefer, Bob Schaefer, and Jane Myers.
Ina was born on Jan 6th, 1936 to the late Joseph & Clare Schaefer. She graduated From St. John’s High School in 1954. While working at Monsanto, she earned her CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) certification through Professional Secretaries International, and was later the St. Louis Chapter President.
Ina was known for her leadership, storytelling, her lifelong friendships, and her love for her family.
Services: Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road (63129) Thursday, January 16, 4-8pm. Funeral Mass Friday, January 17, 9:30am at St. Peter Catholic Church 243 W. Argonne Drive Kirkwood, MO. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ina can be made to support Alzheimers and Dementia research for a cure at http://act.alz.org/goto/inamaeperkins
From my Facebook Page:
With much heartache, I wish to share that on Christmas Eve, 12/24, my mother, Ina Perkins, passed away in her sleep. As she would have wanted, I made the decision to wait until after Christmas to share this sad news.
Ina was a loving wife to Bill, who passed away 4 years ago from COVID. They were married 62 years. I have no doubt they were each other’s soulmates, as much as any two people could be. They shared their love through adopting me as an infant, and raised me in a fair, respectful, and loving home. While they were not wealthy, they managed to put me through both a private high school and college – a notable accomplishment.
Ina was an extremely well organized person throughout her life both at home and in her career. She earned her Certified Professional Secretary accreditation and served as president of Professional Secretaries International, St. Louis chapter, encouraging others to learn and helping them gain recognition for their expertise.
There were many, many stories I heard (over and over) of the adventures she had with her friends, both those she knew growing up and others she had made along the way, primarily through work and church. She maintained those friendships her whole life.
Bill and Ina retired early and moved to Florida to be close to my uncle and his family, but returned in 2008 as their only grandchild was here in St. Louis.
While there is so much more to tell of my mother’s life, her last years were overshadowed by dementia, which slowly robbed her of her memory, her ability to read – or even recognize faces – and eventually her life, after taking away everything else.
Ina would have been 89 had she lived two weeks longer.