Joan Lee Purcell

Joan Purcell of Stony Brook, NY passed away on October 21, 2019 in her 96th year. Loving wife to the late John J. Purcell. A devoted mother, Joan is predeceased by her son Dennis. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Denise and son Robert as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the proud daughter of Anthony and Gladys Tronolone . Sadly her mother passed away at the age of 25 soon after Joan turned one year old. Tragically just six years later her father passed away leaving Joan at the age of seven devastated and alone. Thankfully and with perpetual gratitude, Joan was brought up by her fathers sister Mary along with her husband William and their children Marie, William (Bill) and Phyliss. Joan has quite a storied ancestry having ancestors who fought in our country’s Revolutionary War and subsequent wars including the War of 1812, Civil War, and World Wars I and II. Despite her childhood tragedies, Joan a true survivor, graduated from Midwood High School in Brooklyn. Soon after, she gained employment at Wall Street. At 18 she married and had three children. For many years her family resided at 1008 1st Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan and were proud members of St. John’s the Evangelist Church and School. In November 1964 Joan and her family moved to Stony Brook, NY where she embarked on building a prestigious resume over many decades. Employment included jobs at the Town of Brookhaven, Gyrodyne, Chemical and Chase Bank, Sears, Waldbaums and Wild by Nature. Let it be known that Joan Lee and John Purcell were outstanding providers and parents and worked indefatigably to secure a Catholic education for their children. We will remember the many trips to Palisades Park, Lake George, Rockaway Beach, Atlantic City and in later years the pleasant trips to the Long Island Game Farm, the Animal Farm Petting Zoo, White Post Farm, the Long Island Aquarium, Hallocks Farm, Smith Point Beach, Robert Moses State Park, and Shrine of Our Lady of the Island. We will remember the great cook you were, the love for your dogs, and the family gatherings you annually looked forward to including Thanksgiving and particularly Christmas. We will never forget your legendary dancing at the St. James Rehabilitation Centre and the sounds of “yippie, “ whoppie”, and “oh boy”, sounds that will forever resonate off the walls of that facility. Joan will be sorely missed, but most of all please remember her for her unwavering perseverance in overcoming early childhood tragedies and her valiant battle with Alzheimer’s. Not having you here will be extremely difficult but you will ALWAYS be in our thoughts and felt in our hearts. Through your dedication as a mother, and the MANY sacrifices you made, you were truly the backbone of our family. Though life goes on without you here, you will live in our souls and in the hearts of the many lives you have touched. Knowing you are at peace with your mother and father again along with dad, Dennis, and all your cousins in your arms, please watch over us. Addio, dormi bene, stai al caldo, ti amo. Farewell, sleep well, stay warm, Love ya. Mom, I’ll ALWAYS remember and love you. Thank you for being my mom and I want you to know that I was both honored and blessed to have you in my life. Till we meet again. Your loving son Robert.