Catherine Johanna Purcell

Catherine Johanna Purcell, 77, of Palmdale, California, passed away on February 20, 2025, after a short illness. Born in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany on August 2, 1947 to the late Cosmo P. and Elisabeth (Gawron) Tenelly, she was the oldest of five children. She was a member of Saint Junipero Serra Catholic Parish in Lancaster, California.

Catherine is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years: Francis Donald Purcell of Palmdale, California, her four children: John Purcell and his wife Rebecca of Oahu, Hawaii, William Purcell and his wife Pamela of Riverside, California, Christina Purcell of Hesperia, California, Cathleen Purcell of Napa, California, her four grandchildren: Cassidy Purcell of Aliso Viejo, California, Noah Purcell and his wife Annie of Seattle, Washington, Spencer Purcell of Riverside, California, and Jonah Purcell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, her brother: Anthony Tenelly and his wife Donna of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and two sisters: Maria Angeloni and her husband Vincent of Johnston, Iowa, and Margaret Smith and her husband Terry of Covington Township, Pennsylvania.

As the daughter of a U.S. Army Master Sergeant and the wife of a U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, Catherine enjoyed traveling the world and embracing the cultures and languages of other countries. Later in life, she loved visiting Las Vegas with her husband by her side, as well as attending concerts with her family. However, nothing brought her more joy or pride than the time she spent with her children and grandchildren, who will forever remember the love she brought to their lives.

Please join us in celebrating her memory. A visitation for Catherine will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Joshua Mortuary Palmdale, 3150 E Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale, California. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, California.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html