Obituary of Anna Catherine Purnell (nee Yaworenko)

September 6, 1921 - Wayne, Alberta
November 3, 2021 - St. Paul, Alberta

Anne Purnell beloved wife of Lloyd John Purnell of Abilene, AB, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the age of 100.

Anne was born in Wayne, AB to Michael and Mary Yaworenko, the second eldest of what would eventually be 11 children. Her early childhood was spent in Calgary before the family moved to Waseca, SK in 1932 to homestead. She started working at 13 in order to go to school. Leaving home at 16, she began working at the Waseca Hotel shortly after she moved to Saskatoon where she met her first husband Thomas Normand McNulty. They married in Calgary in 1941 and had a daughter. Widowed during the war in 1944 with a young daughter, she faced the future with an indomitable heart and generosity of spirit which would characterize her whole life. She moved to Calgary, remarrying in 1946 to Lloyd John Purnell. They welcomed three more children. Anne ran a boarding house along with always having her door open for friends, family, and strangers alike. She moved to Abilene, AB in 1974, returning to farming. Lloyd passed in 1999. Anne continued farming but travelled more, a great joy to her, spending winters in Phoenix, AZ with her son. Full of love and laughter, she spent her life caring for others.

Anne was predeceased by her husbands, Flying Officer Thomas Norman McNulty and Lloyd John Purnell.

She is survived by her children, Charonne (Wayne), Cheryl (Anthony), Diane, and Kenneth; her grandchildren, Chrissy (Monique), Michael (Camilla), Kathryn, Cathaleen (Terry), and Kolby (Carol); and her great-grandchildren, Blake, Parker, and Teighan. She is also survived by her sister Dorthy Kapty and brother George Yaworenko; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor (404 Meredith Rd NE, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Anna’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Anna Purnell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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