Obituary for Catharine Purcell
Catharine Purcell, 99, of Pottsville, passed away on Wednesday evening at Schuylkill Center. Born in Pottsville, on June 14, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Lucy (Monsour) and Albert Koury. She was a 1933 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and 1936 graduate of St. Joseph Nursing School. Catharine was a member of St. Patrick R.C.C., Pottsville. She was a registered nurse for much of her career at Lemos B. Warne Hospital & Clinic, also doing private duty for years, and functioned in the capacity of RN at Eagle Hill Coal Company, where she and her dear husband were part owners. In addition to nursing, Catharine had a lifelong love of learning which included being trilingual (French, Arabic, English), with a passion for art, music, history. She was an accomplished pianist, and an avid reader and always kept busy. She spent years donating her time and talents to set design for musicals at Nativity BVM High School and also the Red Cross Blood Mobile. She was active in church, school and community in many capacities from coaching at St. Patrick's Elementary School Girl's basketball team, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, teaching art to CYO students and private individuals. While studying nursing in Reading she even took flying lessons at the Reading Airport in the late 1930's. She would never waste an opportunity to learn new things as she kept up with the old. She loved to sew, knit, and crochet, talents she learned for from her mother. She had a passion for living and caring for others. Catharine was a member of professional nursing organizations, Schuylkill County Allied Artists with Artist Membership, and Business and Professional Women's Club. She loved her family dearly and was a second mother to Ellen & Joe's friends, and they all loved her. Catharine was ahead of her time and an inspiration to many and devoted her life to helping others. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Michael Purcell in 1988, to whom she was married for 42 years; a sister, Marie Davis and brothers: Maron, John, Anthony, and Daniel Koury Catharine is survived by a daughter, Ellen Purcell Brier, of Hershey, PA; a son, Joseph, husband of Pamela Purcell, of Pottsville; a sister, Veronica Edelstein, of Toms River, NJ; a brother, George Koury, of Pottsville; three grandchildren: Joseph Brier & wife, Katye; Sean Purcell and Katie Purcell; great-grandchildren: Tate and Charlie Brier; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at on Tuesday, February 3rd at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. A viewing will be held at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville from 9:30 a.m. until the procession will leave for church. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Pottsville. The family request contributions in Catharine's memory be sent to St. Patrick's Memorial Fund 319 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901 or The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, 90 Hope Drive, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA, 17033. Donations may be done online at Https://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com. ; The Four Diamonds Fund benefits children with cancer. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com
Service:
11:00 a.m.
St. Patrick R.C.C.
Visitation:
9:30a.m. until the procession will leave for church
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc.
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Service:
11:00 a.m.
St. Patrick R.C.C.
Visitation:
9:30a.m. until the procession will leave for church
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc.
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