1925
Bernice
2013
Bernice Purnell
March 7, 1925 — August 19, 2013
Bernice Louise Purnell, 88, of Greensburg, PA and Fort Myers Beach, FL passed away on August 19, 2013 at Westmoreland Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Mildred V. Shaw, her brother, Robert Shaw, and her husband, Rev. John W. Purnell. A resident of Redstone Highlands in Greensburg since 2010, Bernice was an avid reader, enjoyed playing Scrabble, and was a proud member of the Redstone Wii Bowling championship team.
Bernice graduated from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1945 and worked as an industrial nurse at the Copperweld Steel Co. in Homestead and later at St. Anne's Home in Greensburg as a geriatric nurse for twelve years. She was an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Her extensive social service included Habitat for Humanity, the Blood Bank, and a Church World Service mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. A highlight of Rev. and Mrs. Purnell's 28-year tenure at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg was their pulpit exchange in Banchory, Scotland. After she and her husband retired to Florida in 1989, she continued a life of Christian service at the Chapel by the Sea in Fort Myers Beach.
Bernice will be deeply missed by her children Shaw Smitrovich and husband, Bill, of Woodland Hills, CA, Dr. David Purnell of Pella, Iowa, Dr. Paula Purnell and her husband Bruce Adamson of Greensburg; her grandchildren, A.J. Smitrovich, Maya Smitrovich, Elysia Purnell, Forest Purnell, Justin Camp, Robin Mattes and her husband, Allen; and her great-grandchildren Allyssa and Chloe Mattes.
A memorial celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main Street, Greensburg.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. John W. Purnell Scholarship Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601 or to the Redstone Highlands Benevolent Fund, 6 Garden Center Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 www.redstonehighlands.org.
KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com
Bernice graduated from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1945 and worked as an industrial nurse at the Copperweld Steel Co. in Homestead and later at St. Anne's Home in Greensburg as a geriatric nurse for twelve years. She was an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Her extensive social service included Habitat for Humanity, the Blood Bank, and a Church World Service mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. A highlight of Rev. and Mrs. Purnell's 28-year tenure at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg was their pulpit exchange in Banchory, Scotland. After she and her husband retired to Florida in 1989, she continued a life of Christian service at the Chapel by the Sea in Fort Myers Beach.
Bernice will be deeply missed by her children Shaw Smitrovich and husband, Bill, of Woodland Hills, CA, Dr. David Purnell of Pella, Iowa, Dr. Paula Purnell and her husband Bruce Adamson of Greensburg; her grandchildren, A.J. Smitrovich, Maya Smitrovich, Elysia Purnell, Forest Purnell, Justin Camp, Robin Mattes and her husband, Allen; and her great-grandchildren Allyssa and Chloe Mattes.
A memorial celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main Street, Greensburg.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. John W. Purnell Scholarship Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601 or to the Redstone Highlands Benevolent Fund, 6 Garden Center Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 www.redstonehighlands.org.
KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com
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