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Ann Purcell Obituary

Ann Duane Purcell COLUMBIA, SC - Ann Duane Purcell, wife of Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. Purcell, USMC (ret.), passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, after an extended, courageous fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1932, but spent her childhood and early adult in Havre de Grace, Maryland. She is the daughter of the late Norval Rouse and Hilda Rebecca Jackson. She graduated Havre de Grace High School with the class of 1949 and the University of Maryland, School of Nursing as an RN, class of 1952. She married her husband February 16, 1952, before he was deployed to the Korean War. Upon his return in 1953, she began the life of a Marine wife with many moves, making a new home in many different states and bearing five children along the way. In over twenty-two years her husband was deployed for periods totaling 40 months and engaged in two wars. She never faltered and provided loving care and nurturing for her children alone. In 1970, her husband retired from the Corps and the couple made a new home in Summerville, SC. She had kept her nursing experience and education up to date and was employed as a staff nurse in ophthalmology at the Medical University in Charleston. She worked at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of S.C. as a head nurse until 1982. When she and her husband made their final move to Columbia, he took a position with the S.C. State Department of Education and she took a position with the Columbia Eye Clinic, PA. They both retired in 1992 and for the past 28 years, they were residents of Columbia. She is survived by her husband of 58 years; her daughters, Ellen Paige Jones of Athens, Ga., daughter, Jane Leigh Tucker of York, SC, Elizabeth Ann Browning of Lilburn, Ga.; sons, Robert Dean Purcell Jr. of Mount Pleasant, Mark Andrew Purcell of Summerville; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She will be interred in the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC at 12:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2010, followed by a celebration of her wondrous life, her dedication to her husband and family, and her professional and caring skills as a nurse. The celebration for the family will take place at her son's house in Mount Pleasant. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In her memory, contributions may be made to the ALS Association, S.C. Chapter, 1064 Gardner Road, Suite 101, Charleston, SC 29407. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier on Aug. 4, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann Purcell

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Chris Solomon

August 12, 2010

Bob, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will never forget how kind you were to me when my brother died in 1980 and you were my principal at SHS. You are a wonderful and generous person and I know you will find comfort. God bless.

Tabetha Jenkins

August 11, 2010

Mr. Bob and Family, Mike and I are so very sorry to learn of your Wife and Mother's passing. Cherish the memories that you have of her, and with her, in your hearts forever. Please take comfort in knowing that she no longer suffers, nor is she in any more pain. Take care of yourselves and one another. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the coming days ahead. God Bless Each One of You!

v/r,
Mike and Tabbie Jenkins
aka BIG IRON JENKINS and ALABAMA ANGEL

Steve Gupton

August 9, 2010

I am sorry for your loss and pray for you all to receive as much comfort from our Heavenly Father. Remember the best comfort is to share the memories of your childhood and the special things you did .She gave her husband and your father a lifetime of special memories. God Bless you all in this time of sorrow.

August 7, 2010

I was blessed and had the pleasure of Ann's (and her family's)unwavering friedship from the early 1970's working at Ophthalmology at MUSC before Storm eye institute came into being and that friendship continued to this day. I, like many, many others, loved Ann dearly. She will be missed, but will always be a part of the best of our lives. Know that my thoughts are with you, her family, in your sorrow, as it is mine as well.
Molly and Ed Hughes
Charleston, SC

Summerville High School Class of 1980

August 5, 2010

Mr. Purcell and Family,
We are deeply saddened to learn of Mrs. Purcell's passing. She was truly an amazing person whom we know provided great strength and comfort to your family. Please know we share in your loss and sorrow and we hope the fond memories you have will always bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
With Our Deepest Sympathy and Condolences,

Eric Purcell

August 5, 2010

Uncle Bob, Ellen, Jane, Betsy, Rob, Mark, and all of the family,

I pray that God touches each of you with his grace, mercy, strength, and comfort and that you find peace knowing Aunt Ann is in a more beautiful place that we could ever imagine.

She was such a beautiful, loving person and will be dearly missed. Now it's time to share the stories of her life as our family so famously does.

I wish I could be there with you.

I love you all and will see you soon.

Chris Collier-Dickson

August 5, 2010

Besty and Family,
So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Our prayers are with you and your family. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Pam Stapleton-Songer

August 5, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I know this is a very sad time for all of you, but trust in the Grace of God and his Strength to help you through this time of deep sorrow. As hard as this is for all of you; take comfort that your Mom is in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior. She will forever be looking down on you with love and pride. The Peace of the Lord be with always.

Chelsea Huddleston

August 5, 2010

Could not have asked for a better woman to call "Grandma". We love you and miss you every day. Enjoy Paradise!

Christina Rijneveld

August 5, 2010

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." -Author Unknown

Sending all my prayers and love to the family.

Lou & Leonard Hodge

August 5, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jeanks & Vickie Smith

August 5, 2010

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Clover Transportation

August 5, 2010

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Barry Bost

August 4, 2010

To Bob and family our thoughts and prayers are with you.


Semper Fi.

Barry and Kathie Bost

King, house 14

August 4, 2010

Ms. Ann walked by my house every day walking her dog. She had a sweet spirit and we will miss her in the circle.
May the precious memories of the love of your life for 58 years bring moments of comfort to your pain and hours of joy to your heart.

Mellissa Howie

August 4, 2010

The Allan Howie family offers their deepest sympathy in your loss. We will keep you in our prayers. Allan, Mellissa and Leigh

Dean Herndon

August 4, 2010

Hey Mark and Family, Regret to learn of your Mom's passing. While I know you and all the family will miss her, I also know you can rejoice in her home-going and the burden that has been lifted from her.

Everywhere you turn, there will be a memory.

Brent Saxon

August 4, 2010

In celebration of a life well lived, I offer my deepest sympathies in the passing of your Mom and Wife.

Regards,

Brent Saxon

Twyla Bradley Tyler

August 4, 2010

Mr. Purcell and family,
I am from the class of 1980. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family in this time of need. Just know that your wife is in no more pain and you will see her again.

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