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“We all have a light,” Juanita Perkins-Qui said. “Singing is my light that I have to let shine.”
Perkins-Qui, of 13th and Christian streets, has been singing her whole life. Her special talent has functioned as a remarkable safe haven for those in need of comfort.
For decades, she’s been ministering in song at Catholic church funerals. She’s sung at every Catholic church in South Philly, as well as numerous places of worship outside the area. Her reason? It’s her passion to use music to ease the sorrow and pain of those who have recently lost a loved one.
And it helps that she’s not afraid to get personal at a time when support is most desired.
Perkins-Qui is known to go to the homes of the grieving. She asks what songs they’d like her to sing at the funeral. She asks them to tell her a funny story.
“I say, ‘Talk about the good times,’” she said. “This helps turn them around from feeling sorry for themselves. It’s a really hard time.”
For those unable to afford church stipends, she often offers to sing for free.
“How could I say no?” the Hawthorne dweller said. “I’m just thinking about bringing comfort and joy to these people’s hearts; you can’t buy that.”
Perkins-Qui has sung for funerals of babies who’ve died suddenly and tragically. She’s sung for those who aged into their hundreds, too.
She credits her faith to keeping her strong in fulfilling the difficult task, because she said she knows they’re going to a better place.
The mother of one was born and raised in South Philly, where she learned the rituals of the Roman Catholic faith at St. Peter Claver. For four years after high school, Perkins-Qui was stationed in San Antonio in the Air Force, where she not only directed a choir but also was named 1969 popular vocalist. When she returned to Philadelphia, she sang at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine, 1166 S. Broad St., and later became involved with St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic church, 1718 S. Ninth St., where one can find her serving as a cantor every Saturday at 5 p.m. or Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
A typical day for Perkins-Qui is often not typical. She’s also a crossing guard, working five days a week at a busy intersection near Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St. She works four hours a day and often runs back and forth to the church to sing at funerals between shifts.
“The mothers in the area have another mother on the corner for them,” she said with a smile. “I’m not going to let anything happen to them.”
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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