Nancy E. Purucker

September 15, 1946 — November 24, 2018

Nancy Evelyn Purucker, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2018. She was at her home, surrounded by her adoring family.

Nancy was born in Youngstown, Ohio on September 15, 1946 to Evelyn and Laddie Bondor. She grew up in Youngstown and attended Chaney High School, where she met Gary Purucker, the love of her life and devoted husband of 52 years. Nancy and Gary had two beloved daughters, Sharla and Heather. The family lived and worked in several places over the years, including Buffalo, NY, Moorestown, NJ, and Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Nancy will forever be remembered for her uncommon beauty, her infectious laugh, her kindness, her generosity, and her determination. She enthusiastically pursued her passions for traveling, tennis, watching sports events, Mahjong, reading, and the arts.

Admired for her resourcefulness and can-do attitude, the moment Nancy made up her mind to do something, she pursued it, and always with great success. This included her work as a professional model, Director of Religious Education in Buffalo, NY, a salesperson for Ellison Graphics and Gold Coast Graphics in Florida, an officer at GW Purucker Homes, and a substitute teacher in Palm Beach County. Nancy also earned a BS in HR Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Nancy had a lifelong appreciation for fine art. She traveled to many museums around the world and turned her passion into service by volunteering as a docent at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fl. In addition to the pride she took in serving as a docent, Nancy was dedicated to her volunteer work as an officer and board member for P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) for Women. She also volunteered at the Palm Beach County Food Bank and CROS Ministries, and as an advocate for foster children as a Guardian Ed Lightem in Palm Beach County. Nancy was an active member of St. Ignatius Church and their weekly Bible study group. When not volunteering, she enjoyed socializing as a member of the Old Marsh Golf Club.

Nancy had a special place in her heart for her wonderful grandsons: Christopher, Harrison and Charlie Blanz and Grant and Jaxson Bretzlaff and her granddaughter Emily Blanz. She adored and was extremely proud of each one. They always looked forward to their visits with her, which were full of laughter and fun.

Besides her grandchildren, Nancy is survived by her husband, Gary Purucker, her daughters, Sharla Blanz and Heather Bretzlaff, her father, Laddie Bondor, her sons-in-law, Robert Blanz and Craig Bretzlaff, a sister, Rebecca Bondor, a brother, Randy Bondor, her sisters-in-law, Karen Purucker Frein, Judith Purucker, Susan Purucker, and Rhea Bondor, her brothers-in-law Patrick Purucker, Thomas Purucker, and Danton Stone, and several nieces and nephews.

Her service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens Florida on December 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at Old Marsh Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation by check to Cottey College, c/o Mrs. Donald Dahlberg, 161 Apollo Circle, Jupiter, FL 33477. In honor of Nancy’s dedication to P.E.O. International.