Helen Susan 'Suzy' Purpura

Helen Susan (Suzy) Purpura of Penn Run, PA, went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer on August 13, 2016. She was born November 22, 1966, in Indiana, PA, to Joseph F. and Frances H. Pellegrene. Suzy was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many. To all she was the very essence of beauty, grace, and dignity in the best and even the worst of times. She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances, her maternal grandparents Alex and Helen Broskin, and her paternal grandparents Ned and Theresa Pellegrene. Suzy is survived by her husband and soulmate David A. Purpura, two sons who were also her pride and joy, Christopher Michael Gahagan and Patrick Owen Gahagan, special step-daughter Angela (Purpura) Novack and husband Scott, father Joseph Pellegrene, brother Gene Pellegrene and wife Kendy, sister Theresa (Pellegrene) Dunlap, brother Joseph Pellegrene, nieces Suzy (Dunlap) Hall (her namesake) and husband Matt, and Kendy Pellegrene, nephews Edward Dunlap and Nick Pellegrene, Aunt Marie Gezich, Uncle Fred Pellegrene, Aunt Joan and Uncle Tom Boske. She often spoke of her children and family with a radiance of love displayed on her face. Suzy was passionate about traveling, loved and followed all Pittsburgh sports, fishing, playing the piano, and being with her family and friends. She loved Snoopy and her pets, leaving behind her dogs Squirt, Sophia, Abigail, and her cat, Weeman. One of her greatest strengths was her ability to spread love and kindness, despite the circumstance or environment. Ultimately, Suzy lived as someone who understood deeply that life was a constant opportunity to express love and show dignity. The world is simply a darker place without her beautiful soul spreading peace, love, and light. Of all the sparkly things she adored, she was absolutely the brightest gem of all. Suzy was employed as the Director of Enterprise Solutions for Learning Sciences International, where she deftly combined her roles as supervisor, co-worker, and friend. She led with great clarity and focus, and never lost touch with the emotional needs of others. Her warmth, kindness, and gentle sense of humor made even the most difficult days less stressful for everyone who came in contact with her. She previously worked in government contractor space as Director of Operations for 3e Technologies International (3eTI) where she managed DoD projects including the development of training for DoD personnel. Under her leadership, 3eTI was presented with the prestigious National Tibbetts Award for Pennsylvania and Maryland. Additionally, Suzy served as Vice President of Advanced Technology for S&T Bank overseeing web-based applications and technology platforms in the financial services industry. She is a graduate from Homer Center High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and on Thursday from 9 until time of Blessing Service at 9:30 AM at the C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Lucerncemines Site with Rev. Father Tony Klimko, the Celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Indiana County Humane Society.

Visitation

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Inc.
4606 Old US HWY 119 South Homer City 15748, United States

Visitation

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Inc.
4606 Old US HWY 119 South Homer City 15748, United States

Visitation

Thursday, August 18, 2016 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Inc.
4606 Old US HWY 119 South Homer City 15748, United States