PURDY, Mary

Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, AZ Tuesday, April 22, 2003 Funeral services for Mary Briggs Kirkham Purdy, age 84, who passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the University Medical Center, Tucson, were conducted by Bishop Bruce Dodge at the Thatcher Stake Center. Internment followed in the Thatcher Cemetery. Mary was born June 29, 1918 in Moroni, Utah, to Mary Ann Briggs and George Erastus Kirkham. She spent her younger years in Provo, Utah, and attended Brigham Young University where she graduated at the top of her class. She married William Earl Purdy in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 8, 1949. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, William Earl Purdy; her children William K. Purdy of Thatcher, Richard K. Purdy and wife Susan of Tucson, Shauna Ana' Thee and husband See Ba of Laie, Hawaii, and Ann Charlene Clouse and husband Terrill of Mesa; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Maxine Larson of Overton, Nevada. A life-long educator, she taught at different educational institutions, including Brigham Young University where she taught nutrition and was head of food services during World War II. After World War II, she was sent by the government to organize the school lunch program in Switzerland. After returning she was appointed by the governor of Utah to head the food services program for the state which, at the time, was the highest position for a woman in the state government. Later she was employed as County Home Agent in St. George, Utah, at Eastern Arizona College and Pima High School, where she taught in the Home Economics departments, and Fort Thomas Elementary School where she taught art and was the librarian. An outstanding educator, she was beloved by her students and professional associates. She loved teaching art at Fort Thomas and had students who won state and national honors. A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many callings in the Relief Society, Sunday School, Primary and the Mutual Organizations. With her husband she served two missions for her church. The first was in the Granite Vault in Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City, Utah, and the second at the Family History Genealogy Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also participated in the Extraction Program for 10 years. Always willing to serve wherever asked will be Mary's legacy. Gregarious and outgoing, she loved being involved in many civic and art organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma, Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, Republican Women and The Arts Council. As a signature member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, she had paintings exhibited in six consecutive major art shows in Tucson. As a superb watercolorist, her paintings hang in public and private collections throughout the West. Mary found great joy in serving her family. Throughout her last years, she remained independent and strong, always wanting to live life to the fullest. Her faith gave her hope and strength to continue on. She will be forever remembered by her family as a loving, caring, giving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.