Janice Kay Perzanowski, 81, of Merritt Island, Florida, died peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Cape Canaveral Hospital. She was surrounded by her family at the end of her life. Born in Pyote, Texas, on October 17, 1944, she moved to Florida in 2012 after spending most of her life in Indiana. She was married to Thomas Perzanowski for 58 years. He survives her, along with four children, seven grandchildren, and a legacy of service in education.
Perzanowski devoted 48 years to teaching and administration. She worked in kindergarten, Reading Recovery, Early Intervention, and Title I programs. She also served on the Indiana Governor’s Advisory Board for Adult Literacy and received the National Award of Excellence in Education from C.H.A.D.D. She presented at state and international conferences on learning disabilities, impacting thousands of students over decades.
Her children are Tonya Haywood of Leesburg, Indiana; Heather Stewart of Cocoa, Florida; Ryan Perzanowski of Jacksonville, Florida; and Mandy Mayfield of Richmond Hill, Georgia. Her seven grandchildren include Elias and John Stewart, Taylor and Mason Haywood, and Stella, Ruby, and Miles Mayfield. She is preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Goldie Pilcher, and her husband’s family.
Perzanowski’s family said she lived her final years in Merritt Island, where she found community and peace. Friends and former colleagues remember her as a dedicated teacher who believed in the power of education to transform lives. A memorial service is planned for later this month, though details have not yet been finalized.