Joanne Perna Pate

Born: 6/26/1930 Died: 5/2/2012 Joanne (Perna) Pate “Jeanette” Joanne (Perna) Pate, known fondly as “Jeanette,” age 81, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. A native Delawarean, Jeanette was born in Wilmington on June 26, 1930, daughter of the late Joseph Perna and Santina (Masci) Perna. She was a 1948 graduate of Wilmington High School and would go on to a long and rewarding career with the DuPont Company, retiring as an executive secretary. Jeanette was a devout Catholic and a longtime parishioner of Holy Spirit R.C. Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered on many parish committees. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Holloway Terrace Volunteer Fire Company. A talented homemaker throughout her life, she delighted in baking delicious cookies as gifts for family and friends, as well as for bake sale fundraisers. In her leisure hours she greatly enjoyed solving challenging crossword puzzles, cheering for her favorite teams, the Eagles and the Phillies, and vacationing at the beach. Most of all, she delighted in spending time with her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she cherished deeply. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Fersch (Brandon) of Londonderry, NH; son, Joseph Hartnett of New Castle, DE; brothers, Louis Perna of Oceanview, DE, and Joseph Perna (Dorothy) of New Castle, DE; grandchildren, Joseph Hartnett, Jr., Robert Hartnett, Jessica Hartnett, Conner Fersch, and Benjamin Fersch; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rita Poole. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 noon on Monday, May 7, 2012, at Holy Spirit R.C. Church, 12 Winder Road, Garfield Park, New Castle, DE, where visitation will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jeanette may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Holloway Terrace Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 684, Manor Branch, New Castle, DE 19720; or to Heartland Hospice House, 5661 Ochletree Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808