E. Catherine Purnell, 89, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026, surrounded by her family following a short illness. 

 

Cathy was born in Chambersburg on July 20,1937 during the Great Depression to the late Lyle C. and Edith (Murphy) Thompson. She married Gerald (Joe) Purnell and left Chambersburg to become an Army wife. During Joe's service, he, Cathy, and their children were stationed in Georgia, Colorado and Germany. This sparked her love of travel. In the last few years, she preferred to sit in her backyard and watch the birds with her constant companion, Molly. 

 

Cathy was a mother to all. In fact, the word “mother” was a call to action for her. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she took in friends, friends of her children, and anyone else who could use the comfort of a cup of tea, a snack or a good meal and her time. 

 

She would open her home and heart to anyone in need. With a quick knock and turn of the handle, the bells would announce you were home. Such an entrance meant you might have to dodge the vacuum sitting in the middle of the floor, that she might not be completely dressed for the day, and that someone you didn’t know would be napping on her couch. 

 

As welcoming as she was, Cathy was also quick to offer her advice and opinions, sometimes before you recognized that she was offering exactly what you needed to hear. And if she couldn’t help you, she would eagerly volunteer someone else who could. 

 

She spoke her mind and you always knew where you stood with her. She praised your accomplishments with encouragement and enthusiasm, and would give critiques as quickly as she gave those compliments. But you knew she would support you if you needed it. That wisdom, of speaking her mind, was one of her best qualities, and she raised her kids to do the same. 

 

Cathy was a proud grandma. Not the grandma who would spoil you with too many sweets, but the one who would tell you to brush your hair and pull up your pants. And then offer hard candy from her purse. 

 

Being born during the Great Depression shaped her life.  Cathy was careful with her money and still willing to give to good causes. She was always on the lookout for a good deal. She also understood that thrift shops held all the treasures. 

 

Then there’s the card playing – oh, boy. She was an absolute card shark. After a lifetime of double-deck pinochle, she learned to play bridge and mahjong. She was also always up for any card game, but if you played with her, you quickly learned that it was serious business. No time for chit chat. The less you chatted, the more hands you could get in. And don't be surprised if she threw out the game’s wild cards – they made it too easy. 

 

Cathy's hands were always busy. She was a perpetual creator of scrubbies and dishcloths, and her crafts were useful and durable, meant to become part of your daily existence and not just works of art for display only. She would gift them as quickly as she made them. And although she couldn’t figure out how to work her phone, she could sit in front of any sewing machine and master it. She was always looking for a way to help others through sewing: She made walker bags, burp cloths, aprons, sack dresses, and, during the pandemic, protective masks. 

 

Cathy leaves behind her children Michael Purnell (Jan) of Littlestown PA, Lisa Barnhart (James) of Chambersburg PA, Greg Purnell (Karen) of Kathleen GA, and Amy-jo Humpton (John Simcoe) of Lemoyne, PA; sister Elizabeth (Betty) Thompson (George) of Chambersburg PA; grandchildren Sam, Heather, Phoebe, Katie, Garret, and Grace Maria; great-grandchildren Penny, Paisley, Paige, Peyton, Matilda, Ezra and Kiera; and a number of nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, brother Lyle Thompson, sister Charlotte Statler, grandson Jeremy Barnhart, and partner, Dirk

 

Cathy has said for many years that she “lived a good full life,” and anyone that met her would agree. She leaves behind a legacy of strength and bravery, passed down to her children, grandchildren, and all those who knew her. She will be missed by many.

 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026,  at 12:00 PM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg.