Share Service Information for Joan Purpura

Obituary

Joan Purpura died peacefully in her sleep on July 5, 2024. Joan was born May 11, 1939 in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up in Orleans, Cape Cod. She moved to Boston at age 18 where she met and married Bob Healy. They moved to Columbus, Ohio and had 2 children, Maureen and Scott. Later she married Francis Purpura and had 35 wonderful years together. Joan had several jobs over the years at Lazarus Downtown, OSU, and owned and operated a beauty salon in Whitehall. Her favorite job was working for Dr. Jack Ryan DDS in Whitehall. She loved music and could often be heard singing to her favorite artist, Tony Bennett. She also loved the ocean, being partial to Nauset beach and Skaket beach on Cape Cod. She enjoyed decorating her home especially at Christmas time when her family demanded she sing "Oh Christmas Tree" intentionally off key. Joan was a wonderful cook and enjoyed it immensely as did her family. Her recipe box became so full that the lid would no longer close. She would say "you can tell a good cook by 2 things - her pie crust and her gravy," and she mastered them both. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh. Her greatest loves were her children, and as she grew older; she lived with both of them. She was living with her son where she enjoyed his cooking, his jokes and especially his cat, Maynard. Joan will be sadly missed by her daughter, Maureen Healy; son, Scott Healy; stepson, Jon Purpura; and granddaughter, Summer "you are my sunshine" Healy. She will also be missed by many friends including Nancy O'Donnell (Nancy Pantsy), Colleen Carter, and Kim Healy. Joan didn't want a service, instead she asked that those who loved her do a kind deed for someone less fortunate, and "smile everyday no matter what." Donations can be made in her name to Ohio Hospice of Central Ohio 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark Ohio 43055.