Lillian K. Purcell

Lillian K. "Lonnie" Purcell, 99, of Paradise, PA, formerly of Parkesburg, PA, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Christiana, PA.  She was the wife of the late James S. Purcell Jr. who passed away in 2010.  Born in Downingtown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Meteja) Klecha.

Lonnie was an area resident most all of her life.  She attended both the Unionville and Oxford Schools and graduated in 1941.  She was a member of Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Parkesburg.  Her faith was a very important part of her life.  She loved her church family.  She was also a member of the Polish American Club Auxiliary in Coatesville, PA.

She is survived by her children, James S. (Valerie) Purcell III of Downingtown, John P. Purcell of Sherman, TX, Jeffery E. (Eva) Purcell of Coatesville, and Jerry (Kelly) Purcell of Paradise, PA, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Leora (Purcell) Anderson (Joel), 1 grandchild, 2 great-grandchildren, and siblings.

Lonnie lived a long and very interesting life.  In her early years, she lived on a farm outside of Unionville with her parents who immigrated from Poland.  On the farm she milked cows along with other chores. Somehow she became a farm girl turned fashionista. 

As a young adult she worked at Lukens Steel in the office then waitressed at Oxford Diner where she ultimately met the love of her life, Jim Purcell.  He ordered Cherry Pie with Chocolate Ice Cream and a cup of coffee and he left her a 25 cent tip.  She told her friends at the diner and they said, he must really like you!  He only leaves us a nickel.  They were married shortly after.  

After she became a wife and mother, for a few years, she and her husband opened a small garage and gas station called the Flying A, where she pumped gas and washed windshields for her customers always with a smile.  But, she was mostly known for being everyones' favorite neighborhood Avon lady.  Her saying was Lonnie's my name and Avon is my game.

She and Jim enjoyed entertaining, dancing, music, especially Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and others from the 1940's and beyond.  Their special song was "It had to be you".  Lonnie and Jim were especially known for wearing matching outfits wherever they went. She loved raising her children, spending time with her grandchildren, and the rest of her family and friends.  She loved decorating for the holidays and was so proud to be featured in the Parkesburg Christmas Tour.  She was an avid reader, she loved to play Scrabble, Cards, and the slots at the Casino.  She would always tell people she was the worlds greatest loser. 

In later years, she enjoyed lunch with her church friends, they called themselves The Lunch Bunch and times with her friends after Mass on Saturday nights.  She was very well known for her famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.  The cookie jar was never empty and she always prepared a bag with a smiley face on it for whoever she went to visit. 

Sayings Lonnie was known for:  It's my pleasure, you're my treasure, Que sera, sera, Whatever will be will be, we'll see what develops in Paradise, That's my story and I'm sticking to it, Because of you there is more of me, Listen to your mother, What's for supper pupper, We had it all like Bogie and Bacall, and That's the way it is baby.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. from Our Lady of Consolation Church, 603 W. 2nd Ave., Parkesburg, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Our Lady of the Seven Dolars Cemetery in Parkesburg.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the church at the above address.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com