COLUMBIA   Ann Duane Purcell, wife of Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. Purcell, USMC (ret.), passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, after an extended, courageous fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1932, but spent her childhood and early adult in Havre de Grace, Maryland.  She is the daughter of the late Norval Rouse and Hilda Rebecca Jackson.  She graduated Havre de Grace High School with the class of 1949 and the University of Maryland, School of Nursing as an RN, class of 1952.  She married her husband February 16, 1952, before he was deployed to the Korean War.
Upon his return in 1953, she began the life of a Marine wife with many moves, making a new home in many different states and bearing five children along the way.  In over twenty-two years her husband was deployed for periods totaling 40 months and engaged in two wars.  She never faltered and provided loving care and nurturing for her children alone.
In 1970, her husband retired from the Corps and the couple made a new home in Summerville, SC.  She had kept her nursing experience and education up to date and was employed as a staff nurse in ophthalmology at the Medical University in Charleston.  She worked at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of S.C. as a head nurse until 1982.  When she and her husband made their final move to Columbia, he took a position with the S.C. State Department of Education and she took a position with the Columbia Eye Clinic, PA.  They both retired in 1992 and for the past 28 years, they were residents of Columbia.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years; her daughters, Ellen Paige Jones of Athens, Ga., daughter, Jane Leigh Tucker of York, SC, Elizabeth Ann Browning of Lilburn, Ga.; sons, Robert Dean Purcell Jr. of Mount Pleasant, Mark Andrew Purcell of Summerville; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She will be interred in the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC at 12:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2010, followed by a celebration of her wondrous life, her dedication to her husband and family, and her professional and caring skills as a nurse.  The celebration for the family will take place at her son’s house in Mount Pleasant.  Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
In her memory, contributions may be made to the ALS Association, S.C. Chapter, 1064 Gardner Road, Suite 101, Charleston, SC 29407. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.