Obituary of Jean Perra

Jean Perra, 85, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2015, in Olympia, Washington, with family at her side. She was born in 1929 to Emile and Elizabeth Thomas in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from West Covina High School in West Covina, California, and studied sociology and photography at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California. She later took courses to become an ordained minister. A nine-year resident of Lacey, WA, Jean also lived in Minden, Nevada, for eight years, and on the Monterey Peninsula for 43 years. Professionally, Jean was the first camerawoman for KMST TV station in Monterey and a loan officer at Valley National Bank. She also volunteered for the suicide prevention hot line. She loved photography, poetry and art. A kind, loving and very spiritual person, people always spoke kind words of Jean. She was a member of Self Realization Fellowship. Jean is survived by daughters, Debbie Russell-Benfield of Rochester, Washington, Laura Russell of Brunswick, Ohio, and Kimberly Kezeli of Monterey, California; seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph DeWayne Perra; daughter, Theresa Rene; and granddaughter, Alena Hartman. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Please leave memories of Jean or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.