| Date of Birth | January 29, 1939 |
| Passed Away | February 20, 2019 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
Jacqueline E. “Jackie†Perley
HORNELL-Jacqueline E. “Jackie†Perley, 80, of Maple Court Homes, passed away early Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 20, 2019) at St. James Hospital in Hornell.
Born in Hornell on Jan. 21, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Elwood and Ann (Komora) Perley. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her twin brother, James Perley; and two sisters, Joann VanDurme and Nancy Cullen.
A graduate of Hornell High School, Jackie received a diploma in Nursing form Arnott-Ogden Memorial Hospital in Elmira in 1959, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Mansfield University in 1969, a Master’s of Science Degree in Education from Elmira College in 1974, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Alfred University in 1983 and a Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Syracuse University in 1990.
Jackie has been a nursing professional for over 50 years and was utilized by both healthcare organizations and educational institutions and her combinations of experiences is unique. From 1959 to 1970 she was employed as an Operating Room Nurse/Supervisor and Instructor at Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital in Elmira. In 1970 she became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Corning Community College, a position she held until 1974 at which time she became a Full Professor and Division Head of Nursing and Allied Health at Tompkins-Cortland Community College in Ithaca until 1996. From 1996 until retiring she served as Director of Nursing Education and Instructor at Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill.
Throughout the years she has been involved with many professional activities, served as a consultant, belonged to several academic committees and was the recipient of many professional honors and awards.
In 2017 she returned to Hornell to reside and enjoyed reading and writing poetry.
Her loving family includes two sisters, Martha (William) Bartle of Stephens Mills and Audrey Remchuk of Auburn, N.Y.; as well as her nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to serve the family of Jacqueline E. “Jackie†Perley.
To honor her wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 or to the Hornell Public Library, 64 Genesee St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843.
Online condolences or remembrances of Jackie are welcomed on the Facebook page of Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc.
Jackie was a dear friend of many years. She was a leader and advocate for associate degree nursing, championing it as an educational pathway for students who would not otherwise have had access to an education in nursing. She was also a mentor for many individual students, encouraging them to succeed when their life circumstances were against their success. Jackie loved her home and garden during the years she lived in Rochester, NY and was a compassionate listener for family members in her role as a volunteer at Rochester General Hospital. She is remembered for her smile, her deep caring, loyalty and expressive voice in her poetry and her lifelong connection with her twin brother, Jim.
To Jackie’s Family and Friends:
I am so saddened to read of Jackie’s passing. I first got to know Jackie through our mutual docent work at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester, NY. She was a faithful volunteer who was a regular on Tuesday afternoons, and was passionate on telling the story of Ms. Anthony. We soon realized we were both from Hornell NY and that she and her twin brother Jim were HHS graduates. She was so proud of her brother and often spoke about him. Jackie and I met to chat and enjoy each others company. I always learned from her as she was so smart, well informed on issues and always professionally dressed. She was dedicated to nursing and with some prodding expanded on her outstanding career in the field. She volunteered at RGH to use her medical background with pre-op patients. She had a wry wit that was unmatched by any. I felt privileged to have known Jackie, who enriched my life and those of others.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
My Deepest Sympathy to her Sisters, Sister in law, extended family and all her friends.
Nancy Griffin Shadd
I will always remember her dedication to the profession of nursing and her quick wit. I have fond memories of having meals and meaningful conversations about things that really matter. Rest in peace, my colleague and friend.
To Jackie’s family and friends,
I am so sorry to recently learn of Jackie’s passing. You have my deepest sympathy and I know that she will be greatly missed.
I worked with Jackie for many years when she was at Tompkins Cortland Community College. I considered her a mentor and a dear friend. She hired me into my very first job in nursing education and taught me what it means to work with students and to really foster their learning and growth. I remember her guiding me in how to work with students to foster their understanding of patients, as well as, their understanding of themselves. I have always remembered Jackie telling me, “You need to know when they need a hug, and when they need a kick in the pants!!†Those words and that wisdom have served me well during my career and I have thought of that often. Jackie was also a friend who would help you out in many situations. She was the person that I called at 2am to come to my house and take care of my older daughter when I went into labor with my youngest. From that day forward, I always felt like she was part of my family. She was a wonderful person, with a caring heart and terrific sense of humor.
In August, 1980, I was raising two children, in Ithaca, on my own. I decided I wanted to become a nurse. I made an appointment with Jackie Perley, who was the head of the nursing program at Tompkins Cortland Community College. The program had an excellent reputation, and I wanted to start the next month. To my utter dismay, Ms Perley told me that entry into the program was through a lottery. It was popular!
She said the applicant lottery was full, and maybe I could try to get in the following year. She was nice about it, but firm, as only she could be. I was determined to get in, so I came back every day for the following ten days or so, and sat in a chair outside her office. I wanted to be there if there was ANY chance of getting in.
At the end of the ten days, after seeing me sitting there for those days, she called me into her office.
I will never forget her saying, “Some people who got in by way of the lottery have not called me back. You, on the other hand, have shown me how much you want to join our program. So, YOU’RE IN!” I was thrilled, and began a two year program that was difficult, but oh so rewarding. “Jackie” as we called her, had incredibly high standards, and it was an honor to graduate from the TC3 Nursing Program. I will always be grateful for that decision she made. I am now almost 80 years old(I began nursing school at TC3 when I was 37), and have always been proud to be a nurse.