Purcell, Jean

Rhinebeck – Jean Purcell, 74, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2008, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie.

Mrs. Purcell moved to Rhinebeck in 1961 from Nova Scotia; she was a member, and served on the Alter Guild, of the Church of the Messiah.

For twenty four years she has been employed as a caregiver at the Palmer Center, Kingston.

Born Laura Jean Thorne on January 5, 1934 in Halifax, Nova Scotia; she was the daughter of Uriah George and Laura (Hulan) Thorne.

Mrs. Purcell is survived by a daughter Angela, and her husband Steven Ritter, of Hyde Park; two sons, Michael of Rhinebeck and Bryan; two cherished grandchildren Alec and Logan Ritter; one sister Kay Gammon of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and a brother Alvin Thorne of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was predeceased by a brother Eric Thorne.

Memorial services are Thursday, November 6th, 2:00 PM, at the Church of the Messiah, 6436 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck; Fr. Gerald Gallagher will officiate. Interment will follow in the Memorial Garden at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Messiah, P.O. Box 248, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.