Obituary of Nancy A. Perkalis

Nancy Perkalis passed away with loving family by her side on April 10 th , 2024 at
Morristown Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born to the late Warren and Edna Baker on January 21st, 1941, Nancy treasured
growing up on Evans Farm in Morristown, New Jersey, alongside her brother Thomas.
She graduated from Morristown High School in 1959 then attended Fairleigh Dickinson
University. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at Morris County School of
Technology for over 25 years. Nancy met the love of her life, Don Perkalis, as a teenager
and later became a blended family when they wed in 1975. Nancy was a devoted mother
to her 3 children and 3 step-children, and a long-time resident of Mount Tabor, NJ. Nancy
traveled to countless states with family and friends and also throughout Europe and Asia.
She loved collecting seashells on Long Beach Island, NJ with her family and yearly trips
to Ocean Grove with her best friend, Nancy Klein. She cherished shared meals and
conversation with her dear girlfriends, her collection of Elvis Presley albums, and going to
Broadway shows.
She was known for her thoughtful generosity and witty sense of humor that
everyone will surely miss. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren, and encouraged each of their passions. She enjoyed volunteering for the
PG Chambers School, an organization that helps provide education and care for those
with special needs. She deeply loved her canine companions and often donated items to
animal shelters like the 11 th Hour Rescue.
Although we are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing that she is
at peace, reunited with those who passed before her; husband, Don Perkalis, brother,
Thomas Baker, sister-in-law, Linda Baker, lifelong best friend, Nancy Klein. It is now that
we look to the loved ones she leaves behind to carry on her memory of generosity and
kindness. Nancy’s survivors include her children, Cheri McNeil (Paul), Jennifer DiGiacomo
(Steve), David Perkalis (Diana), step-son Jimmy Perkalis, her grandchildren, Paul McNeil
(Mayra), Kristin Przyhocki (Frank), Kaylie McNeil, Vanessa Perkalis, Connor DiGiacomo,
Alex DiGiacomo, Carly DiGiacomo, Noah Perkalis, Willow Perkalis, her great grandchildren,
Abigail McNeil, Adriana McNeil, Andrew McNeil, Mateo McNeil, Frankie Przyhocki IV, as
well as a wealth of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors who will remember her fondly.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests making a charitable donation to the
11 th Hour rescue in Nancy’s memory via inmemof.org.
A memorial visitation for Nancy is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at 10
AM, with a funeral service to begin at 11:30 AM. Please help us celebrate this remarkable
woman by attending, leaving a condolence, sharing a memory, or lighting a candle to
continue to let Nancy’s light shine!