Lynne Perg

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the death of Lynne Darlene Perg, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lynne passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on March 18, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Kalamazoo on November 21, 1947, Lynne grew up surrounded by her supportive and welcoming family. She was a poet, an animal rights advocate, a teacher, and an artist whose talent was recognized and nurtured by her mother, Mildred Perg, an accomplished Kalamazoo artist herself. Lynne graduated high school from Kalamazoo Central, and obtained her bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. She was known throughout her life by her love for her family, especially her two children, whom she successfully raised on her own as a single mother. She was equally well known for her love and advocacy for animals. Lynne is survived by her children Theodore Cavender-Park (Rachel Cavender-Park) and Wayne A. Perg (Spikes Perg), her grandchildren Charlie Roberts, Jack (Gabe) Roberts, Valerie Raphael Perg, and Artemis Rose Perg and by her eldest sister, Leola M Walker (Brock Inglehart). Her surviving nieces and nephews include Becky Williams (Bob Williams), Rick Walker, Lesley Perg, Cathy Johnson (Rich Johnson), and Barbara Miller. Lynne is also survived by her loving cousins Nalani Zorola, Leilani Taylor, and Jeff Wood. She is also survived by her former spouse, James Park (Susan Park). She was preceded in death by her father Leo J. Perg and her mother Mildred Wood Perg, her brother Wayne F. Perg, her sister Kay Perg Harrison, and her grandchild April Marie Grace Perg. We are grateful to the nurses and staff of Bronson Commons and Centrica Care Navigators for the care they provided as we accompanied Lynne on her hospice journey. Special thanks to Andrea, Judy, Sunny, Erica, Bill, Laura, Tracey, Josell, James, Amanda, Gracie, and B. No tribute to Lynne would be honest and complete if it did not mention her immense love for the poodles she provided a stable home for throughout her lifetime and theirs. First Katie and Sheba followed by Cody, her dearest companion, and finally Keeta. In her last two years Lynne welcomed visits from the hospice therapy dogs, and most specially the facility poodle, Bentley. A celebration of life will be held at ten a.m. on May 23, 2026 at the Oshtemo Grange Hall with potluck to follow. A graveside ceremony will follow at Riverside Cemetery of Kalamazoo at three p.m. for interment of ashes.