Margaret J (Peg) Purtell

Purtell, Margaret  J.

Margaret J. (Peg) Purtell, age 91, went home to her Lord on December 22, 2015.  She was born March 10, 1924, to Howard and Rose (Bohan) Van Eweyk, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the
eldest of two daughters.  
On September 20, 1945, she married the love of her life, Gene Purtell.  After his graduation from dental school, she and Gene moved their growing family to Albuquerque, where they raised their 8 children.  

Peg was given a full ride scholarship to college, but was unable to attend due to the needs of her family.  She received her certificate from secretarial school, and became one of the best around.

Once all of her children were in school, she became the manager of the business office of the (old, old) St. Joseph Hospital.  She was a great organizer, as one must be when raising a large
family!  She was then hired as the executive secretary to Dr. Castonguey at the School of Engineering, and then to Dr. Hall in Computer Sciences Department.  She retired after many years, and she and Gene enjoyed a well-deserved retirement together, until his death in 2007, after 62 years of  marriage.

Peg was amazingly talented with a needle and thread, or knitting needles, or needle point, and rug hooks. She sang in the choir at Our Lady of Fatima, and played bridge with her bridge buddies for more than 50 years. She  was a wonderful cook, and a wonderful mother, who made it a point to find some one-on-one time with each of us.  She loved her family, and was so proud of all our accomplishments.  We will miss her so much.

Peg was preceded in death by Gene, her sons Brian and Terry, her sister Nancy Ritter and her daughter-in-law Cheryl.  She is survived by her children, Kate and Richard Prasek, Pat and Sharon Purtell, Peg and Gene Moser, Nancy Purtell and husband Bill Quaglia, Kevin and Barbara Purtell and Tim and Lucy Purtell, 21 grandchildren and 26 (and counting) great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend our special thanks to all the staff in bldg. C at Bee Hive Assisted Living on San Pedro and Corona.  You made our mother's last 2 years a happy experience both for her and for us, and we are so very grateful!  We also want to thank everyone at Compassus Hospice for your kindness and compassion.  

Rosary will be recited at 9:00 am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Peg's memory to be given to Joy Junction.

To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
3113 Carlisle Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-884-1188