Joan A. Purcell

Joan Ann Purcell, nee Fahey, of St. James NY, passed peacefully November 3, 2024

Joan was born on January 10th, 1933 to William Fahey and Gertrude McEntee Fahey. She had three sisters, all are predeceased. Grace and Marion Fahey were her elder and Alice Fahey Murdock was the baby of the family. They grew up in the predominantly Irish Catholic neighborhood of Whitestone NY and Joan attended parochial schools for the entirety of her academic career.

She and Patrick Joseph Purcell were married on November 23rd, 1957. Their marriage lasted over 64 years until his passing in 2022.

Joan is survived by her daughter Marie April Gismondi and son-in-law John Smith, as well as her nephews James Murdock, Steven Murdock, his wife Ivet Tamashiro Murdock, and their son, Matais.

Lord God our Heavenly Father,
As I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, 
the 21st Psalm told me to fear no evil. 
But those I love, one by one, were called home to you 
and I being human, was afraid. I was lonely.
In your heavenly mansion of many rooms, 
Jesus said he has prepared a place for me and I know this to be true.
Now that my wait and weight are no more, 
with my family assembled and ready to greet me, 
I rejoice for the peace and freedom of your heavenly realm. 
My spirit soars in reunion with those who have gone before 
and I welcome your eternal embrace. 
Together we dwell in the house of the Lord,
united once again in the light of your love. 
Mourn not my passing, for I am home and with those I love. 
To be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord.

To be considerate of travel convivence for family coming from out of state, there will be no brunch of Friday after the graveside service. Family and friends are instead invited to join us between visitation on Thursday at the Chop Shop, 47 East Main St. Smithtown NY 11787. You are invited to dinner and or cocktails. Please feel free to come anytime you like.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to 2 organizations of which Joan would approve.

The first is the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the order to which her beloved sister Marion proudly belonged.

The second is Rudy's Rescue who will be providing Tara with the opportunity to live out the rest of her days in a home with a family, other dogs, a yard with a ramp, and periodic updates on social media. It will be K9 Senior Living at its finest.

Donations to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary can be made at:
https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_e7924894-d25e-11ed-8018-061fdf1a3137&WidgetId=14300160

Donations to Rudy’s Rescue can be made through their website
https://www.rudysdogrescue.org/donate

Where to see how Tara is doing:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563953973438

Patrick Purcell Obituary:

Patrick Purcell Obituary | Sep 18, 2022 | St James, NY