Creta Elizabeth Purpura

Creta Elizabeth Purpura (Santo) was born August 5, 1939, and passed peacefully at the age of 84 on July 14, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Irma Santo, and she is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Anthony; her brother Ken (Andi) Santo of Grove City; daughter Tina (Lloyd) Early of Gahanna; son Tom (Amber) Purpura of Naperville, IL; grandchildren Matthew Early and Nicolina and Sophia Purpura; favorite “granddog” Dobby; and many close nieces and nephews.

Creta was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She attended elementary school at St. Ladislas Parish School, high school at St. Joseph’s Academy, completed coursework at The Ohio State University, and worked briefly for General Motors where she met the love of her life. Creta and Tony were married on June 20, 1964 at St. Ladislas Church, and later built a home in Gahanna where they raised their family. Creta was a homemaker extraordinaire, and was locally famous for her Hungarian and Italian cuisine. And while she was first, last, and always a wife, mother, and doting “Nana,” she worked for National City Bank for several years after her children were grown, and there made many friends with whom she remained close throughout her life.

The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the staff of the Taylor Springs Health Campus in Gahanna and Capital City Hospice for their loving care these many months.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 4pm-7pm at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 East Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 21 at 10am at Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, OH 43137, with interment to follow. Those wishing to attend should meet at the chapel shortly before the Mass begins.

The family would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the staff of the Taylor Springs Health Campus in Gahanna and Capital City Hospice for their loving care these many months.