Jean A. Purcell

1945 - 2023

Purcell, Jean A.
BRUNSWICK - Jean A. Purcell, 78, a longtime resident of Brunswick, died peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at her Beechwood Apartments residence in Troy following a short illness.
Born on May 22, 1945, and raised in Brunswick, Jean was the daughter of the late Walter R. and Lilivene (Ryder) Purcell and the devoted sister of the late Susan Purcell, Richard L. Purcell, Walter "Moose" Purcell, and Charles Purcell Sr. Jean is survived by her sisters-in-law, Miriam and Patricia; her nieces and nephews, Richard M. (Jill) Purcell of Rotterdam, Bryan E. (Leah) Purcell of Boyntonville, Tricia J. (Michael) Bloomer of Cambridge, and Charles "Chach" (Serina) Purcell of Valley Falls; six great-nieces and nephews, and her best friend, Judy Sappone.
Jean was a graduate of Tamarac High School and the State University of New York at Cobleskill. For more than 40 years, she was employed as an accounting clerk by the N.Y.S. Department of Labor in Albany. She retired in 2007.
Jean was an extremely devoted and active member of the former Ladies Auxiliary of the Volunteer Fire Company of Center Brunswick. She participated in many fundraising dinners and helped to assist the company's firefighters when responding to or returning from a fire or traffic emergency. Jean, like her brother Moose, was always present whenever there was activity at the firehouse, and you could be sure to find her offering behind the scene assistance in any way she could while always managing to somehow stay out of the spotlight.
Jean was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed music, loved traveling to casinos with friends and family and loved playing bingo. She also bowled for many years on Thursday nights at Hilltop Bowl with her late brothers and friends.
Jean traveled on vacations often with family, most notably on annual camping trips to Sacandaga Lake and on family vacations to Virginia Beach, Orlando, and Las Vegas. Later in life, Jean became very involved with the senior's group in Brunswick and also made many new friends in her retirement community at the Beechwood, where she served as the secretary of the Beechwood Board of Directors, as well as co-chair of the Activities Committee and a member of the Dining and House Committees.
The Purcell family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Jean's health aides and caregivers at the Beechwood, particularly Kadian, Destiny, and Shauna, for their love, support, and friendship to Jean while she was under their care.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, June 9, from 10 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown. A funeral service for Jean will be held at 1 p.m., followed by a procession to and burial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Jean in a special way are invited to make a contribution in her memory to the Volunteer Fire Company of Center Brunswick, 1045 Hoosick Road, Troy, NY, 12180, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.