Emily Isabel Perkins

Emily Isabel Perkins, 90, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 26. 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Clara; her siblings Marian, George, Russell, Ernest, and Charles; and her husband James. She is survived by her children Robert Perkins (Shannon), Karen Omran (Rami), and Sandra Fox (Burke); and her grandchildren Alexander, Ethan, Nathaniel, Anabel, and James.

Emily grew up in Oaklyn, NJ on Newton Avenue. Full of love and laughter, she had many close-knit groups of friends. She moved to Indianapolis in the 1960s to live with her Aunt Effie and Uncle Harold. She began working at RCA as a secretary where she met her future mother-in-law, Margaret Schmidt. Margaret introduced Emily to her son Jim who was in the Air Force. Emily and Jim started a long-distance friendship which soon blossomed into love.

Emily and Jim were married in April 1968. They bought a house in Indianapolis, where they brought up their three children and joined St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where their children went to school. Emily started working part-time at the parish office as a secretary in the mid-1970's and continued working there for the next 40 years or so. She loved the St. Lawrence family. She joined the garden club, the social committee, the Knights of St. Peter Claver, the choir, and many, many other activities and ministries. Emily never knew a stranger, at church or anywhere. She listened to those who needed a supportive ear, crafted handmade greeting cards for friends and loved ones, prayed for many intentions, and was always willing to get together for a little socializing. She created many lifelong friends among neighbors and fellow parishioners and maintained numerous extended family relationships. Later in life, when she moved to Meadow Brook Senior Living, she made many new friends there as well.

Emily's greatest accomplishment, though, was the love and devotion she showed her family, including her five grandchildren. They were, without a doubt, the highlight of her senior years.

In 2010, Emily lost Jim to cancer. Soon after, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but her strong faith and love of life carried her through, and she became a survivor. She continued to work and create many cherished memories with family and friends. Later, she found companionship with her neighbor, Larry Winke. They shared two and a half years of a sweet friendship and romance together before his passing in April of this year.

Services in honor of Emily Isabel Perkins will be held at a later date. Please check back for updates.