Anita Marilyn Purcell

1938 - 2025

Anita Marilyn Purcell, 87, of Haverhill, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Avita of Newburyport, surrounded, by her loving family.

Anita was born in Haverhill on May 23, 1938, daughter of the late William G. and Beatrice M. (Berard) Ferguson.

She attended Haverhill High School, class of 1955. After high school, Anita married Jack, her high school sweetheart. After raising a family and working for many years Anita went back to school, attending Merrimack College, where she earned a bachelor's degree of Business Administration in 1993.

Throughout her life Anita worked at and managed various mortgage and real estate companies, as well as banks in the area, finally retiring at 72 from Haverhill Bank in 2010, where she was the vice president of residential lending. In retirement, Anita traveled throughout the United States and to various countries in Europe, Asia and South America, which was a lifelong dream.
She also volunteered in the community. Anita offered her time helping in Elder Services and cultural and historical centers, as well as Northern Essex Community College's "School of Older Learners." Purcell was also a founding board member of Public Media of New England, owner and operator of WHAV.

Anita is predeceased by her loving husband John Edward Purcell Sr. who passed away in 2009. Jack was "the love of her life."
She is survived by her three children John E. Purcell Jr. and his wife Kathryn A. Stewart of Newburyport, Lisa J. Donati of Bradford, Steven A. Purcell of Haverhill, her sister Marilyn D. Boire of Michigan, her grandchildren Taylor S. Purcell Quarles and her husband Ierneshema Quarles, Darrell J. Donati and his wife Carla, Angela M. Donati, Erica C. Purcell and Valerie Purcell, as well as several nieces and nephews.

As per her wishes, Anita donated her body to Tufts Medical School for research and education. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Bradford-Haverhill.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Boston MedFlight, 150 Hanscom DriveBedford, MA 01730 or by visiting https://www.bostonmedflight.org/makeagift/