OSWEGO, NY – Beverly May Purce, 83, a resident of Oswego passed away on Thursday January 23, 2014, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Born in Fulton, Beverly has now been eternally reunited with her parents, Francis and Caroline (Purtell) Heagerty; her twin sister, Betty Ottman; and her brother, Francis (Tom) Heagerty.
Beverly is survived by her husband of 65 years, William Keith Purce; seven children: Bonnie (Melvin Jr.) Bullard of Scriba, Gary (Thanatcha) Purce of Florida, Melanie (Mark) Davis of Oswego, Scott (Terrie) Purce of Fair Haven, Doug (Cindy) Purce of Syracuse, Tracey Dougherty of Oswego and Tim (Amy) Purce of Oswego; and a sister, Ellen (Huck) Finn of North Rose.
Beverly’s pride and joy were her 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Heather (Tim), Allison, Cort (Jenni), Patrick, Sarah, Timmy, Jeremy, Cortnie, Lucas, Caroline, Jacob, Emily, Emma, Mary Catherine, Camryn, Madison, Cole and Rigby; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Their given names are less important than the fact that every one of them thought their name was ‘Darlin’ because that is what ‘Gramma’ called them all.
Beverly was the baker for the neighborhood, hairdresser to anyone who would sit still for it, ‘mom’ to seven and a mother to any and all that needed her.
Bev was never happier than when she was snuggling a baby, singing a lullaby, baking cookies, dancing or having a drink with anyone that would join her or teaching an old Irish song.
Beverly worked throughout her life at various waitressing jobs that provided the pay she needed, but allowed her to schedule around her children and their schedules.
Beverly was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and passed that pride onto her family.
After Keith retired, Bev and Keith enjoyed traveling across the country and spent more than 25 winters in Florida.
May your heart be warm and happy with the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way and forever and ever after.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. from the Dowdle Funeral Home.
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