V. Jeanne Purcell-Littell
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V. Jeanne Purcell-Littell
Jeanne was born at the Epworth Hospital in Liberal, KS to Forrest and Frances Holland-Purcell. She was the older sister to Larry and Gary. Jeanne started her education at the Voorhees country school south of Hugoton with eight grades and on teacher. She graduated from Hugoton Rural High School in 1955.
She married Clark Littell and was later divorced. To this union two children were born, a son Steve Littell and a daughter Cheryl Littell-Seiwald. Jeanne lived in the Hugoton and Rolla communities until her move to Topeka in September 1976.
After moving to Topeka, Jeanne worked with emotionally disturbed adolescents as a Licensed Mental Health Technician at the Topeka State Hospital from 1977-1988. During that time, she attended Washburn University and graduated with an associate arts degree in mental health and a baccalaureate social work degree. In 1988 she moved to Manhattan and worked as an SRS social worker in Geary and Riley counties. In December of 1991 she accepted a position as a social worker at the Kansas Neurological Institute and worked there until her retirement.
Jeanne was the recipient of the Pusitz Award for her compassionate work in the field of mental health and was recognized for her work to prevent elderly abuse. She coauthored a bill to establish the Alzheimer’s disease hotline, which was passed by the Kansas congress.
Jeanne was a patriot who loved and enjoyed her family, friends, and country. She enjoyed playing bridge, sports, music, politics, movies but most of all spending time with her family.
Jeanne’s survivors include her son Steve and daughter in law Marcia, daughter Cheryl and her son in law Rick, and grandson, her heartbeat, and wife Amber. Also, survivors are brother Larry and wife Kathy, her beautiful nieces Dixie, Cindy, Michelle, Rachel, Amy, and Kirsten, and the gift of her step-granddaughters Raquelle, Erica, Gretchen, and Kelsey.
Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Morgan Jeanne, brother Gary Purcell, and niece Vicki Purcell-Duncan.
Honoring Jeanne’s request, cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at the Hooker, OK cemetery on Saturday, June 24th at 11AM.
“Look across calm waters,
Breathe deep the crisp, cool air.
Listen to the wind blow through the trees,
You’ll be with me there.”
Steve Eckstein
Cheryl and Rick Seiwald…. Cheryl so sorry about your Mother, I will be thinking of you.
Linda Lester
Your mother was such a positive and caring person. I didn’t know here long but she was held in high regard by Gilbert, June, Gary and Randy. Thoughts and prayers for her family. May you feel the loving arms of Jesus comforting you.