Katherine LaChance née Perrone passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026, at home in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 41. She was born in southern New Jersey on August 21, 1985 and was raised in Mount Laurel where she attended Lenape High School. She attended college and got her first job in Virginia, where she met her husband Danny. Kate moved with Danny to Arizona in 2016, where they got married, grew their careers, and made a home.

Kate was a bright spot in the life of anyone who knew her. She was the favorite of each of her siblings, and her vibrant imagination, playful spirit, and joie de vivre were the defining features of childhood in the Perrone household. From running a pretend version of local staple Olga’s Diner, to knowing (and singing, loudly) every TV jingle, to performing in the annual family Christmas play and making up stories for all the troll dolls and Lego people, Kate filled the house with her light.

As a young adult, she was captivated by the story of the Apollo 13 mission and the mysteries of the universe, ultimately studying Mathematics at the University of Mary Washington, interning with NASA, and making an impactful career in aerospace. Kate’s petite stature belied incredible mental strength and resolve to rise to every challenge presented to her, and she was recognized for her excellence by leaders and colleagues with multiple awards and promotions throughout her career. In her final days, Kate received a prestigious award from her customers to commemorate her leadership and contributions, which had only been awarded once before. As a woman in a technical field, Kate was a model and inspiration for her younger colleagues to follow.

A lifelong Philly sports fan, Kate especially loved watching her beloved Eagles and participating in classic Philly sports traditions and rivalries… becoming particularly vocal during Cowboys-Eagles matchups. She also loved the Flyers, and as a child, she and her cousin created their own fan club for Flyers Goalie Ron Hextall - complete with an entrance exam, a pledge, and weekly dues!

Most of all, Kate possessed an incredible internal motivation and team spirit. She ran cross country in high school, completed a marathon during her senior year of college, excelled in her career, and brought grit and determination to everything life brought her way. Blessed with a natural competitive edge, Kate enjoyed rousing games of Scrabble and card games, and glowed proudly while recounting the story of besting Danny at mini golf on their first date. She loved national parks and the outdoors, and in her free time could be found hiking Tumamoc or the Santa Catalinas, or taking adventurous getaways with Danny, her family, and friends. She approached fitness and exercise not as a chore but as a way to realize her best self, and to inspire those around her to do the same with contagious courage. As Kate persevered through her final challenge, she found a strong and vibrant group of women at the Tucson Cancer Conquerors, where she was an active and beloved member.

She is survived by the love of her life, Danny, who stood by her side with care and devotion, and her charming Boston terrier Macy. She was the cherished daughter of Marie and Joseph, and a loving sister to Marie, Joey, and Sharon. Kate was also a treasured aunt to her nephews and nieces - Anthony, Andrew, Vincent, Lidia, Michael, Christian, Alivia, Myles, Piper, and Owen - who knew her as a source of warmth, laughter, and adventure. Kate was adored and respected by a host of in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins all over the world, as well as her many true and loyal friends and colleagues.

Kate will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. We take comfort in knowing she has been taken into the arms of her many angels, including her loving grandparents and cherished dog Moseley.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on September 15, 2026 at the St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you donate in her memory to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Inc. https://ovarian.org/