PERNER, Adrienne

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/20/2006 Adrienne Perner was killed in an automobile accident in Albuquerque Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006 on her way to see her grandson's basketball game. She was born on Governors Island in New York City and a longtime New Mexico and Albuquerque resident. An ardent helper of those services who need volunteer help, she served as a volunteer for many years at the University of New Mexico Hospital Service League, ultimately serving as President of the Service League. She furthermore felt the need to promote and speak about her beloved state of New Mexico became an information volunteer at the Old Town and Airport information booths. She was later asked to serve as its Volunteer Coordinator and did so for a number of years. During a recent four-year period at her Pinetop home, Adrienne immersed herself in the charitable functions of the White Mountain Women's Club, the Church of Our Savior, and the White Mountains Humane Society. Longing the need to be closer to family, grandchildren and our Albuquerque home, Adrienne and her husband, Jim, returned to Albuquerque where she found the need to help the thrift shop at the Cathedral Church of St. Johns. She also spent time and worked with the local women's Republican Club. Early in life, as the daughter of a West Point Army officer and his wife, Madeline, Adrienne traveled with her parents to Panama, Germany and the Netherlands. During World War II, Adrienne and her two siblings settled and lived in Santa Fe, N.M. It is at this point that the cultural love of New Mexico began. A trained dancer at the Washington School of Ballet, Adrienne later performed in New York City, Pittsburgh, Montreal and various places in Europe. Upon returning home to El Paso where her father and mother had settled, her father accepted a position to teach at Texas Western College (now UTEP). Adrienne continued her dancing with the local productions while taking a job a Southern Union Gas Co. It was here where she met her husband, Jim, who together for 44 years spent small periods of time in El Paso, San Antonio, and Lubbock before settling in Albuquerque in 1965. In all of these cities, particularly Albuquerque, Adrienne instructed ballet touching the lives of many young students, principally at the Dorothy Night School of Dance. Preceding her in death were her father, Robert Miller; mother, Madeline Bond Miller; sister, Patricia Nunez; sister-in-law, Cornelia Miller; father-in-law, John E. Perner; and mother-in-law, Mary E. Perner. She is survived her husband, Jim of Albuquerque, N.M.; son, John (Cindy); grandchildren, Justin and Katiana of Albuquerque; son, Jeffrey (Betsy) of Santa Fe, N.M.; brother, Robert Miller of Holland, Mich.; brothers-in-law, John E. Perner of El Paso, Texas and Don Rodolfo Nunez of Madrid, Spain; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews throughout the United States and Spain. Cremation has taken place and memorial services were held at The Cathedral Church of St. Johns, 318 Silver Street SW. Adrienne will be pleased that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to your local animal humane association.