Obituary: Rene Purcell P’85
Rene Dawson Purcell, a 50-year resident of Westport and the mother of Tim Purcell ’85, a standout at Staples and Colgate University, died Wednesday. She was 77.
Born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y., she graduated magna cum laude with a BS in biology from Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Following graduation, she worked for Bristol-Myers where she met her husband, Frank Purcell, Jr. They moved to Westport in 1965.
Rene was active in many town and community affairs including the St. Luke Parish Altar Guild, Meals on Wheels, the Longshore Ladies Golf Association, the Minuteman Yacht Club and the American Cancer Society.
She loved her family, her friends, Westport and many sports including sailing, boating, golf, tennis and Zumba. The couple enjoyed ski trips, bicycle trips, safaris and cruises covering many countries and continents.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Frank; their children Frank III, Polly and Tim; a sister, Pauline Valcich of Severna Park, Maryland, and 6 grandchildren.
Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, May 30 at 11 a.m., at Saint Luke Church, 84 Long Lots Road. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to The Annual Bishops Appeal, 228 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606-2892 or to a preferred charity.
To leave an online condolence please go to http://www.hardingfuneral.com.
Rene Purcell
