Lillian Jean Purvis (LaPenta)
Our beloved mother Lillian “Jean” Purvis went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Our “Little Lady” and “Mama Bear” passed away peacefully at Chandler Hall hospice in Newtown. She was 89 years young.
Mom grew up in Hulmeville and attended Neshaminy/Langhorne High School, graduating in 1949. While in her youth, a significant part of her life was spent at the United Methodist Church in Hulmeville. Mom absolutely loved her first job playing piano in the front window of the Bristol Music Store and also playing on the local radio station.
Mom began her long working career with Girard bank at 2nd and Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, where she met our father. She was a Loan Supervisor in the Consumer Credit Department for many years.
After spending years at home with us as young children, Mom returned to work building a successful business as a Branch Manager with “Fashion Frocks”. She then went on to enjoy working various positions in retail sales. Mom concluded her employment years in 1996 when she joyfully retired from Lenox Corporation.
Jean joins her parents, the late Joseph and Lillian LaPenta and her two siblings Joan Wenghofer and Joseph LaPenta in Heaven. She was the cherished mother of Heidi Purvis of Holland and Kimberly Purvis (Phillip Schoenleber) of Richboro. She was the adoring “Nana” to Maxwell and Anthony Schoenleber. Jean, affectionally nicknamed “Accu-Jean”, is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Our mom so loved family time spent up the mountains where she enjoyed cross country skiing and hiking. We were all blessed to have decades of summers sharing our pool and back yard picnics with family and friends. Years later, September vacations to Avalon were a highlight in her life.
Mom enjoyed sewing, playing her precious piano, and time spent on the back patio birdwatching. She was a lifelong loyal Phillies fan, an avid reader, enjoyed listening to her music, pressing her luck with scratch off tickets, working through crossword puzzles, and the solace of playing solitaire.
Above all, Mom cherished the time spent with our family and friends. She warmed the hearts of so many with her smile and the “sparkle” in her blue eyes. “Accu-Jean” will be greatly missed by everyone whose hearts she touched with her love.
Jean‘s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10:00 am until her memorial service at 11:00 am at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Rd., Ivyland, Pa 18974. Her interment will be privately held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, we request that contributions be made in Lillian Jean‘s name and memory to The Hulmeville Historical Society, 321 Main St., Hulmeville, PA 19047 or Chandler Hall Hospice, 99 Barkley St., Newtown, PA 18940.
Our family will be forever grateful to the nurses and doctors at Jefferson University Hospital and Chandler Hall Hospice. Our “angels” provided such professional, tender and compassionate care as our Mother entered the gates of Heaven.
Morning Visitation
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:00 AMSt. John's United Methodist Church
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974Service
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
11:00 AMSt. John's United Methodist Church
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974Service