Nina C. Perger

Nina C. Perger Chili: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at age 94. Predeceased by her husband, John. Survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Saturnina Caballes Perger, known affectionately as Nina, Grandma, Lola, and Tia, was born in Magcagong, Sibonga, Cebu in the Philippines on November 29, 1931. She was the second to the youngest of twelve children, and she had fond memories of playing with them on the farm that her family owned and managed. Her parents, Rufino and Marcosa Caballes, laid a strong foundation for Nina and her siblings, grounded in faith, hard work, and good humor. In a life story recounted to Mariana Barcenilla-Ygona, she described their Sunday family rituals, starting with walking the five kilometers for 5am mass followed by a hearty lunch, chores, and an afternoon performance. Nina and her brothers and sisters would sing, dance, recite a poem, or sometimes even a skit that they had written. In between their acts, their father had phonograph music playing, offering time “to catch our breath after all the hilarious performances.” Those who had the privilege of knowing Nina know that she loved to laugh. Education was important to Nina’s parents, and Nina was trained as a pharmacist in the Philippines. This training allowed her to travel to the United States on a work visa in 1971. Not only did she make this journey alone, but she left a promising engagement to a lawyer back in the Philippines. When asked about the bravery of this move, she simply said, “It was God’s will.” Throughout her life, she generously sent money back home to the Philippines to support family, including helping some of them move to the United States themselves. This reflected her parents’ influence, who taught them “to be frugal, to be appreciative of what we had and not to be extravagant.” After first arriving in Ithaca, New York, Nina moved to Syracuse and then Rochester, New York, where she worked as a pharmacist at the University of Rochester. It’s here in Rochester that she met her husband John Perger, who was her mechanic for her old Saturn car – a car she picked out because it resembled her name. One of her favorite stories to tell was how John kept her car for weeks, which she later learned was because he had taken a fancy to her. They married in 1977, and enjoyed many years of laughter, travels, and backyard picnics until his death in 2012. Nina was a devout caretaker for John throughout his battle with Parkinson’s disease, as she was a doting caretaker for her father in his dying days. It was Nina’s wish that she die at home, and in her final weeks she was surrounded by loved ones until she finally passed on January 21, 2026, in the same bed as John. Nina is survived by dear friends, nieces, and nephews, all of whom carry forward her spirit of adventure, generosity, and faith. Family and friends may call at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home, 2771 Chili Ave., Friday 3-6pm. Funeral Mass Saturday 9:00am at St. Pius Tenth Church, 3000 Chili Ave. Rochester, NY 14624. Interment, St. Pius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.