Jane Frances Perry

Jane G. Perry, age 86, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away peacefully on September 27th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Jane was born on February 26th, 1939, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to Cleo and Gerald Giles. She was the eldest of four children. Until high school, Jane lived next door to her paternal grandparents, John and Jane Giles. Her grandmother, for whom she was named after, was the biggest influence in her life. Among many other things, she taught Jane the love of reading, which was Jane's favorite pastime. Every afternoon at 4:00, Jane and her grandmother would have hot tea and "something tasty" - cake, pie, cookies, or fudge.

Jane graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1956. Some of the organizations she belonged to include Commerce Club, Pep Club, Honor Society, and Spanish Club. One of her first jobs was as the secretary for Reverand Buren Stewart at the Methodist Church in Las Vegas. After high school, Jane attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business education and English. Jane was active in several organizations in college, including Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Wesley Foundation, and Sigma Sigma Sigma. From the time she was a small child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. The plan was to teach business/secretarial subjects in high school. However, she was hired to teach ninth grade speech and English at Taft Middle School in Albuquerque, and she loved it!

Jane met David Perry on a blind date in 1961. They were married in 1963, and had two children, David and Sandra. She quit teaching and devoted her life to creating a warm and loving home for her family. David had started a wholesale plumbing, heating, and air conditioning business a couple of years before they met. The business was their oldest child, and their children, David and Sandra, helped in the business as soon as they could walk.

When Jane's children were very young, she became active in the United Methodist Women organization at St. John's United Methodist Church, which she was able to do because childcare was provided. She met her longtime friend, Pat Tolley, at vacation bible school. They needed a pianist, and Jane was happy to help. Over a period of 50 years plus, Jane held sub-district, district, conference, and regional offices, including being the president of United Methodist Women at least five times. She had the opportunity to travel and make friends all over the country. She had the privilege of attending Methodist women's meetings around the United States and England, South Korea, and South Africa. Later on, Jane became a member of PEO, where she was elected vice-president in less than a year. She then was elected president of PEO, which she loved being a part of. Being a part of these groups allowed her to remain involved in teaching.

Jane loved to travel. In addition to the places she went with the church, she was able to go to Scotland, Wales, England, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, China, and Canada. She traveled to Scotland with her grandson, Dave, and was able to go to the corner in Glasgow where her grandmother lived before moving to the United States. She also went to Canada to watch her grandson, Douglas, play hockey when he was young. No matter where she went, her happiest adventures were the ones shared with family and friends, creating memories that will be treasured forever.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, David W. Perry; grandparents, John and Jane Giles, Ernest and Lelah Murphy; parents, Gerald and Cleo Giles; uncle, Eugene Giles; brother, William Giles; sister, Kathleen Earl; son, David Perry; son-in-law, Doug Crumley; and grandchildren, Charlie Crumley and Larissa Perry.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Crumley and fiancé, Tim; grandsons: Doug Crumley and fiancé, Lanie, Dave Perry and wife Kat, Paul and Ty Kohlrust: great-grandchildren, Hazel and Rosie Perry; daughter-outlaw, Michele Lockmiller and husband, Ron; sister, Jeanne Giles; sister-in-law, Kathy Giles; Mona Upson, who was like her second daughter, and many others whose lives she touched with kindness and love.

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Johns United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St NE - Albuquerque, NM 87110. Arrangements are entrusted to French Funeral and Cremations.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sacramento Camp and Conference Center at 10 Assembly Circle, Sacramento, NM 88347.

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful ICU staff at Lovelace Downtown Hospital and the caring and compassionate nurses with Bosque Trails Hospice for Jane's final care.