Mrs. Louise F. Purnell

Let us remember with joy the life of Mrs. Louise F. Purnell, wife of retired Reverend Richard A. Purnell, Jr. Mrs. Purnell died peacefully on February 27, 2014. Louise was the daughter of William Faupel and Ida Belle Bortz (Groff) of Mann's Choice and Everett, PA. She grew up in Bedford and Lancaster and graduated from Dickinson College in 1944. The following year she married the Rev. Richard A. Purnell, Jr., a United Methodist minister.

Over the next 40 years, they served parishes in W. Falmouth, MA (New England South Conf); Hampton Bays, Roosevelt, Bay Shore, Bellmore, Carmel, and Saugerties, all in New York, and Watertown, CT. In 1985, they retired to Myerstown, PA. In addition to her extensive parish work, Louise held several educational posts, including as a French and Latin teacher at Manheim Central High School, a remedial reading instructor in Carmel Junior High School, and a nursery teacher in Watertown. In Saugerties and Carmel she successfully founded and ran the Mother Goose Nursery that continues to this day. In retirement she loved travel and reading. Louise was an active member of the Myerstown Women's Club, a docent at the Hershey Museum, and a board member of the Isaac Meir House. She was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church in Myerstown.

She is survived by her husband; her daughter, Susanna Purnell of Myerstown; her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Joanne Purnell of McDonald, PA; and her granddaughter, Lauren Purnell of Charlottesville, VA. She will be remembered for her exuberant approach to all her efforts, as well as her love and devotion to family. Viewing and funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 10 and 11 a.m. at Zion United Methodist Church in Myerstown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contribution be directed to the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) via checks to Zion United Methodist Church, 22 E. Main Ave., Myerstown 17067 noting in her memory.