MORRISVILLE – Josephine Purcell, 89, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2009 after a brief stay at the Crouse Community Center. 
Born in Thomas, W. Va. on May 15, 1919, she was a daughter of Samuel and Myrtle Fletcher Gross. Jo graduated from Thomas High School in 1936 and received nursing training at Penn State. On March 11, 1944, she married Edward J. Purcell in Baltimore, Md. He predeceased her on Feb. 26, 1981. A Baltimore resident most of her life, Mrs. Purcell had worked for the U.S. Department of the Army as a Transportation Manager in Middle River, Md. until her retirement.  In 1999 Jo moved to McDonough to live near her daughter.
Jo was a loyal, fun-loving woman with many, many friends and interests. In earlier years she was a Girl Scout leader, a Red Cross volunteer and an active political worker. She always loved to play bingo and all types of card games, and was a master pinochle player.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ann Marie and Bill Mohin presently of Hamilton, and Sun City Center, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews including Charla Wilson, of McMinnville, Ore., Libby Jo Hagan of Seattle, Wash., Patricia Klipp and Dr. David Klipp of Ann Arbor, Mich. She was predeceased by four sisters, Elizabeth, Virginia, Ruth, and Winifred and two brothers, Alton and Cecil Gross.  
In keeping with Jo’s wishes, there will be no services or calling hours.
Interment will be private at the convenience of her family.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the McDonough Library, 115 County Rd. 7, McDonough, NY 13801.
To offer condolences to her family, or to sign the Book of Memories, go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.