Christine B. (Smigrocki) Purcell

Christine Blanche Smigrocki was born on August 27, 1951 and grew up in Jamaica Plain. At the age of nineteen, she married Stephen Purcell. She left her job at John Hancock Life Insurance Company to become a nurse. She was a member of the first graduating class from Newton Wellesley Hospital. She later continued her education and received a college degree from Regis College. Stephen and Christine were married for twenty-one years until Stephen died unexpectedly in 1992. 

On August 6, 1988, we all rejoiced when Andrew was born. Andrew and Christine were an inseparable team. Christine’s love for Andrew was palpable and Andrew has never doubted that love and support. As a single parent, she found jobs around Needham to be home for Andrew when he returned home from school. 

Christine loved all animals. Spiders were set free outside the house. Injured birds were mended and set free. Puppies have always lived in her home. She had her talking parakeets and frogs. Andrew’s parrot was welcome. And then there are the turtles, who will outlive us all. 

An avid reader and supporter of the Needham library, she was allowed to take out as many books as she wanted each week and she read them, often three at a time! The librarian told her they checked her card to see what she was reading as recommendations to others. Stephen King was a favorite author. 

Christine also loved thrift shops, salt and pepper shakers, perfumes, and Chinese food. 

She loved to cook and search for recipes from her extensive cookbook collection. Watching the New England Patriots on Sundays was a favorite pastime. She loved her family, friends and strangers she met along the way. 

But mostly she loved Andrew.

Christine passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Stephen L. Purcell and the loving and devoted mother of Andrew Purcell of Needham. Christine was the sister-in-law of Andrea Wong and Edward Luippold of Brewster.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Friday, August 11th from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave, Needham on Saturday, August 12th at 10am. Interment to follow at Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Christine’s name may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute (www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org). 

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