May 29, 1926 – December 30, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of May Hildegard (Blomquist) Perna, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother announce her passing on December 30, 2018, at Somerford Place in Fresno, California at the age of 92.
May, named for her birth month, was born in Brooklyn, New York to Swedish immigrants Hilma and Axel Blomquist on May 29, 1926. She was the sixth of eight children who spoke only Swedish in the home until their mother’s passing when May was just five years old. Two years later after their father’s untimely death the children were orphaned. Being separated and raised in foster homes during the Great Depression left a huge void in their lives. This difficult and often lonely upbringing produced a very strong, tough and determined young woman.
By age seventeen, May was already working full time as a key punch operator when at a USO dance in New York City, she met her future husband Joe Perna, a young Italian musician. They soon married and when Joe’s tour with the US Coast Guard ended, the couple relocated to Los Angeles, California to be with Joe’s family. Together they raised a son and three daughters. May was a devoted wife and mother who loved to entertain family and friends. A wonderful cook and baker no one ever turned down an invitation to the Perna’s home. May could light up a room with her laughter and was always the life of a good party.
May missed her mother for the duration of her life. At the age of 40 she managed to save up some money and traveled to Stockholm to meet her mother’s surviving family members. Her aunts and cousins embraced her. She learned to write and speak the language that was lost as a child after her parents passing, returned to Stockholm on three more occasions and continued to correspond with her relatives in Sweden for many years. These accomplishments helped May feel closer to her parents and her heritage bringing her some comfort. She also joined a local Scandinavian Lodge where she made many new and long-lasting friends.
May retired from her position as a key punch operator in the early 80’s. She and Joe left the LA Basin to retire in Laughlin, NV where they bought a lovely home. May lost Joe in 1996 but continued to live in the city she grew to love. She was active in civic affairs earning the Laughlin Chamber Member of the Year award in 1999. She loved to sing and dance and volunteered her talent to a local theater group.
May was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents Hilma and Axel Blomquist and her siblings.
May is survived by her children Christopher (and wife Vanessa), MaryAnn Perna, Nancy Goldberg (and husband Phil) and Patty Pettey (and husband Mike). She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Mary Ann Medeiros (and husband Billy), Jennifer Vasquez (and husband Danny), Robert Campos, Jessica Campos, Lanny Goudy (and husband Rick), Amy Pettey, Greg Pettey, Tema Rozek (and husband Taylor) and Allison Wisniewski (and husband Roman), 12 great grandchildren and great great grandson Ezra.
The family would like to thank Somerford Place for providing May with loving and compassionate care.
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