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oanna Perkins has the type of character that 
is rooted in and driven by a generous Catholic 
faith. For more than 25 years, she has supported 
the Society of Mary with annual gifts, her connec­
tion to the mission of the Marianists shaped — like 
everything else — by life’s peaks and valleys.  
Born in Laredo, Texas, Perkins and her brother, 
Andrew, lost their father at a young age, leaving 
their mother, Janet Payne, with the responsibility 
of raising them as a single parent. Perkins was 12 
when the family moved to San Antonio, a shift 
she called a “culture shock.”  
Quickly, though, her family found, in the 
significantly more populous city of San Antonio, 
a second home in St. Peter Prince of the Apostles 
Parish, led by “one-of-a-kind” Monsignor  
Tom Murphy.  
The parish helped Perkins adjust to her new 
environment, where soon she personally had a 
hand in strengthening its community, becoming 
an altar server and then a Eucharistic minister. 
“I was super excited to be an altar server,” 
Perkins said, with a smile. “It’s kind of a big 
deal, you know.” 
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
J
GENEROSITY
THE SCIENCE OF
Science-lover Joanna Perkins might be softspoken, but her and her family’s  
consistent generosity to the Marianists and others speaks louder than words 
 
By Alex Z. Salinas
Joanna Perkins (left) helps her mother, Janet Payne, on her country acreage, which includes a beautiful oratory.
PHOTOS BY DARREN SCHIVERDECKER

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