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JANET PURCELL

JANET PURCELL obituary

JANET PURCELL Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of our Mom, Janet (McGuire) Purcell, who died in Toronto on December 10, 2025, frail of body but strong of spirit. She was born near Downeyville, Ontario on September 28, 1931 to Paul and Margaret McGuire and grew up in a busy farmhouse full of love. She excelled in school and became a teacher. She met an Irishman, Jack Purcell, in northern BC. They married and raised a family of five in Toronto before moving back to a farm near Omemee and then to Peterborough. They were married almost 60 years before Dad died in 2021. Janet was a daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt, grandmother, teacher, volunteer, golfer, bridge player and avid traveller. She joins those who have gone before her: husband, Jack; parents, Paul and Margaret; siblings, Dale, Margaret, Jim, Anne and Bunny, and many close relatives. She was an amazing positive force for us all and will be missed every day by her children, Margaret, JoAnn, Paul (Johanne), John (Kelly) and Mary Jane (Carlos); her grandchildren, Kristen (Matt), Emma, Rachel, Finn, Madeleine, Luc, Simone, Sean (Lovina), Jamie, Jack and Alex; and great-grandchildren, Ronan and Roisin; her siblings, Ruth and Joe and many relatives in Canada, Ireland and beyond. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 17th at St. Luke's Church Downeyville, with visitation at 11 a.m., Mass at 12 p.m. and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ALS Canada (www.als.ca). Be not afraid, I go before you always.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Dec. 13 to Dec. 17, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for JANET PURCELL

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2 Entries

Marg Reaume

Earlier today

Met Jan in the fifties when four of us shared an apt.We both moved a few times but as we got older both ended up in Toronto and renewed our friendship.I will miss her many chats and laughs and good times and wish to convey my deepest sympathy to the family on your loss. She was one of a kind.

Sandra Spillane

Earlier today

My favourite memory of aunty Janet was from when I was little and four years of age when Dad died, we flew over to stay a while with Uncle Johnny and family. There was a BBQ one afternoon and we all lined up to get a burger. I was so happy, I ran down a small hill and myself and burger went flying. I cried my eyes out. Aunt Janet took me to the cabin, I smelt the wonderful chip wood from near and under the cabin. I told her why I was upset, and she said, it is OK Sandra you can have another one. I smiled again. Even many decades later, I get the smell of wood chips randomly and think of Aunt Janet's kindness. May you rest in peace xx

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Memorial Events
for JANET PURCELL

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