Barbara Ruth (Lovegrove) Purcell

Peacefully at home with family by her side on Thursday, January 20, 2022 in her 76th year. Barb, beloved wife of Dave. Loving Mom of Catherine. Dear sister of Charlie Lovegrove and his wife Sue, Jim Lovegrove and his wife Kathy, David Lovegrove and his wife Anne, and sister-in-law of John Purcell and his wife Kathy, and Vanessa and her husband Rick Boggs.

Barb met her partner, best friend and love of her life Dave, at Vincent Massey Secondary School in Windsor.  She began her lifelong passion of teaching in Windsor after completing Teachers College.   During the move to Port Elgin Barb, supply taught in Deep River and during her first months in Port Elgin.  Barb was a teacher at Port Elgin Saugeen Central, GC Houston and Huron Heights Public School. She served as Principal at Arran-Elderslie Public School and GC Houston Public School.  Barb’s dedication to her students, teaching and learning lead her to further her education. Through correspondence courses she earned her B.A. at the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Education from University of Toronto, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.  Barb will be remembered for her dedication to St John’s Anglican Church where she sang in the choir, was an active ACW member, a church warden and her roles to both the Deanery Council of Saugeen and Diocese of Huron.

Friends will be received at the T.A. Brown Funeral Home, 510 Mill Street, Port Elgin on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Please call the funeral home to book a required appointment time to attend.

Dave and Catherine wish to thank Dr. Chapman, Dr. Gleba, her VON nurses and PSW’s who made it possible for Barb to live in her home during her last weeks.

A private memorial service for Barb will be held and livestreamed on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 2:00pm. Family and friends wishing to view the funeral service may do so on facebook @BrownFamilyFH or in the service details below.

Memorial donations to St. John’s Anglican Church, Port Elgin, the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

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