Renee Perna
October 19, 1927 - August 28, 2025
Obituary
Renée de La Chapelle Perna, remembered for her grace, elegance, and deep Catholic faith, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, with her sons at her side. Born on October 19, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jacques and Jeannette de La Chapelle, she lived a life enriched by art, history, and family, marked by a love of culture and an inspiring presence that left an impression on all who knew her.
Her passion for art led her to Florence, Italy, where she pursued graduate studies at Villa Schifanoia. She devoted eight years to painting, study, and friendships that shaped her life. It was also in Florence that she met Giuseppe Perna, then a medical student at the University of Siena. They married in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, in 1958, and shared 55 years of marriage.
Renée united her devotion to her faith with a love of beauty as a patron of the arts, immersing herself in classical music, Renaissance works, and her beloved garden. She painted throughout her life, well into her nineties, especially cherishing portraits of her family, grandchildren, and area landscapes. Widely traveled and a gifted linguist, she embraced both the richness of Europe and the American West. Her dearest retreat was the family property in Bear Valley, Wisconsin, where she delighted in the wildflowers, woods, and the changing of the seasons.
The joy of her life was her family. Renée and Giuseppe were blessed with two sons, Carlo and Leo, and she cherished her grandchildren, Siena and Dominic. She also held dear her extended French family, maintaining close bonds across several generations. Her family and friends will remember her intellect, and the devotion to faith in which she lived each day.
Renée is survived by her sons Carlo (Teresa) Perna and Leo (Kelly) Perna, and her grandchildren Siena and Dominic Perna. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Giuseppe; her parents, Jacques and Jeannette de La Chapelle; and her siblings, Charles Antoine de La Chapelle of Yakima, Washington, and Isaure ‘Zo’ de La Chapelle Lord of Carmel Valley, California.
A celebration of life will be held on October 5, 2025 at Maple Bluff Country Club from 12-3pm. The family wishes to thank Dr. Sophie Kramer and staff for their wonderful care over the last few years.