Catherine T. “Kay” Purtell
Parishioner of St. William’s Church
TEWKSBURY: Catherine T. “Kay” (Sheehan) Purtell, age 88, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away at home in the care of her family and hospice on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
She was the beloved wife of Donald F. Purtell, who passed away on October 26, 2006.
Born in Lowell on January 21, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Timothy Sheehan and the late Agnes (Garland) (Sheehan) Saucier.
Kay attended the former St. Peter’s Parochial Grammar School, Lowell High School, and received her GED at the age of 45.
Kay worked for the Compugraphic Corporation in Wilmington, and the John G. MacLellan Concrete Company in Lowell until her retirement.
She was an active member of the St. William’s Church Community, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Prayer Shawl Group.
Kay was a member of the Tewksbury Golden Age Club and Senior Drop-In-Center and a faithful supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
She enjoyed playing Bingo, crocheting, and quilting.
Kay is the mother of, Karen Kennett and her husband Gary of Pelham, NH, David Purtell and his late wife Leeanne of San Diego, CA, Jeannie Hayden and her husband Jim of Tewksbury, Nancy Bufe and her husband Harry of Dracut, and James Purtell of Andover. She leaves eleven grandchildren, Jason Robertson and his wife Sube, Michael Ogden and his wife Lori, Jeffrey Ogden and his wife Kristen, Robbie Ogden and Anna Sciortino, Lindsay Shoor and her husband Raj, Katelyn, Erin, and Lauren Bufe, Benjamin, Jacob, and Jenna Purtell; seven great grandchildren, Aliveah and Moorea Robertson, Christopher and Andrew Ogden, Luke and Maddie Ogden, and Leela Shoor. Kay was the sister of Thomas J. Sheehan and his wife Katherine of Plymouth, and the late Mary “Mickey” LaFountain and Jacqueline Blake. Kay leaves extended family, Paul and Martha Ignatowicz, Corky and Cindy Smith, Ralph and Diane Gilmore, Mary Belodeau and her late husband Larry; many nieces and nephews.
Kay was the step-daughter of the late Raymond Saucier and granddaughter of the late John T. Garland.
Kay’s family would like to thank Hospice, and extend a special thank you to her Caretakers, Debbie Letendre and Colette Whitney.
There are No Calling Hours. Family and friends invited to attend her Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Wednesday, December 16, at 11:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St, Rte, 38, Tewksbury. Please meet at church. Church limited to 80 attendees, masks, face covering and social distancing required. Interment to follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. Please Omit Flowers. Donations honoring her memory may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 133 Federal St., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110 or to the Oblate Novitiate, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.