Mary Purce, beloved nurse, dies at 70

Mary Purce, born  O’Donnell, died on Nov. 9 after an eight-month battle with lung cancer. She was 70.

A Yonkers resident, Ms. Purce was a retired registered nurse who had worked at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center for 35 years. It was the only place she worked after she earned her nursing degree from Bronx Community College in 1975. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Lehman College, going to school at night and working during the day.

An avid traveler, Ms. Purce started a tradition of taking her grandchildren on a trip of their choosing when each turned 13. This brought her to many places, including Greece, Spain, Italy, England and Alaska. She also visited her family in Ireland many times.

Ms. Purce, who liked to be called Granny, was very involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She attended all their birthdays, communions and graduations, among other big milestone events.

Ms. Purce is pre-deceased by her former husband, Edward M. Purce, who lived in Kingsbridge, and her parents, John and Margaret O’Donnell, who had lived in Marble Hill.

She is survived by her three sons and their wives: Edward J. Purce and Tami Luhby, former Riverdale Press reporters who live in Riverdale; Danny and Rita Purce; Keith and Mary Purce, who teaches at St. John’s School in Kingsbridge.

She is also survived by five grandsons, a granddaughter and a granddaughter-in-law: Kevin and Alicia, who live in Kingsbridge; Sean, Kieran, Jack, Michael and Cecelia.

She is also survived by three nephews, who grew up in Marble Hill: Jimmy O’Donnell of Riverdale, Joey O’Donnell and John O’Donnell.

Ms. Purce will have a wake at Williams Funeral Home on Wed., Nov. 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be said at the Church of the Ascension at 221 W. 107th St. in Manhattan on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m.