Katherine Jane Blake

The earth lost a truly wonderful lady with the passing of Katherine Jane Blake on Sunday, February 17, 2019. Jane was born on June 7, 1935, the second of two sisters. She also had a chosen sister when Sandra joined the family. Jane attended Biloxi Public Schools graduating from Biloxi High in 1952. She continued her education at Louisiana State University School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she started her nursing career at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. She earned her Master's degree from Loyola University in 1970. She enjoyed all facets of her chosen career, and served in many capacities at Touro Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Oschner's Hospital and finally retiring at the Veterans Hospital in New Orleans. One of her most favorite positions was as a nurse recruiter for Baptist Hospital. For many years she worked tirelessly for the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. She also loved the New Orleans Saints and was one of the original season ticket holders for the Saints. Jane enjoyed her retirement at her "farm" in Picayune, hosting many family holiday celebrations and having fun with her cocker spaniels especially her last one, Bella. Jane was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Blake Cassidy; her sister, Sandra Sperandeo; her brother-in-law, James D. Powell Jr.; and her companion of many years, Catherine Thompson. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Patsy Powell; her brother-in-law, Bobby Sperandeo Sr.; her nephews, Michael (Diane) Powell, John (Trisha) Powell, Mark (Linda) Powell and Bobby (Heidi) Sperandeo; her nieces, Cathy Remus and Gina Sperandeo; her great-nephews, Christopher (Crystal) Powell, Thomas and Donovan Powell, Joshua (Catherine) Powell and Jordan Powell; and her great-nieces, Shelley (Tim) Bennett and Chelsea (Garrett) Blasko and Abigayil (Tom) Kimball, Melissa Remus, Ashleigh Powell, Courtney Laureiro and Kylie and Kaisley Sperandeo; four great-great-nephews; and two great-great-nieces. She also leaves special friends, Tommy and Silvia Wightman. Funeral Services will be held at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Family and friends may visit from 12:00 pm until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.