Luz Maria Perryman

Born Elizabeth Luz María Acuña Zuñiga in the small province of Cartago, Costa Rica on January 29, 1934, she spent her formative years there in Central America before joining the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz at the age of 17 years. Luz María spent several years in Spain with the religious order before emigrating to the United States in 1954 and settling in Kansas City. She became a naturalized citizen of the US at 30 years of age. When she made the decision to rejoin the secular world, Luz María had dedicated a quarter of her life to the Mercedarians. Never abandoning her faith, she found new passion and purpose in ballroom dancing and professional tailoring. It was in these two pursuits that the second act of her life would begin.

Luz María was living and working in Westport when she attended her church’s ice cream social and dance. It was there that she first met Paul Perryman. Paul was a cowboy living in Wyoming but had just moved back home to Kansas City. He loved to dance as much as Luz María, and they hit it off immediately. They would spend the next several years courting, resulting in an intimate marriage ceremony in November of 1980.

Luz María and Paul purchased Paul’s brother’s farm in Grandview, Missouri, and immediately went to work filling it with love and beautiful memories. While they had no children of their own, they set out to raise not only the most magnificent horses, but also helped to nurture an innumerable number of nieces and nephews of several generations. She began working at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1982 as a tailor, and her skills were legendary throughout the Kansas City region, working with churches and city mayors and other prominent society figures. She was deservedly proud of her work, and retired with full reward over 20 years later.

To sum up one’s beautiful life in a few short paragraphs is impossible work, but to share highlights that will live in the memories of those who loved her seems almost achievable:

Our Mother Mary’s Light:

Luz María had a love only her heart could convey,

And the smile in her eyes sunnied the cloudiest of days.

Whether tending to horses or mastering a feast,

It was in service to others where she found her peace.

If you set out to find her, you’d never look in a chair,

She remained on the move, and you wanted to be there!

“Aunt Luz!” -- as most knew her -- was filled with great facts,

But pay close attention or you’d quickly lose track.

She had a beautiful garden and obvious green thumb,

And would proudly share credit with God and His Son.

Sweet pups Ginger & Smokey remained flanking her sides,

Even when she’d give kitties rollercoaster rides!

She could saddle her horses with the greatest of ease,

And when she spoke - her Spanish was like a bird in the breeze.

They would follow her voice wherever it may lead,

It was clear of her love they were never in need.

And so, it is true of all who were blessed

To know Luz as a friend, family, lover of guests.

She gave freely to each person, never asked in return,

And her affection was something you wanted to earn.

It was easy to receive, she had plenty for all

No, you never had to wonder, no person too small.

Every once in a while, a scent glides through the air,

Planting you back on the farm, and you know Luz is there

Luz María is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Wilfred Perryman, her father, Anibal Acuña Calderon, her mother, Socorro Zuñiga Hernández, and her brother, Edwin Acuña Zuñiga. She is survived by her nephew, Allan Acuña, and a multitude of adoring nieces and nephews of several generations on her late husband’s side.

A visitation will be from 10:30 - 11 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2022, in Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church in Grandview, Missouri followed by Mass celebrated at 11 a.m.