Gillian Pursifull, 77, passed away Friday, October 19, 2018 at her home in Columbia. Visitation will be from 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Sacred Heart Church, 105 Waugh Street Columbia, MO. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, MO.
Gillian was born, August 3, 1941 in Ipswich, England, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H.B. Wiggins. She was a graduate of Northgate Grammar School in Ipswich, and following her graduation, she worked for Shell-British Petroleum in the Tabulation Department. On April 25, 1964, she married James Pursifull, an American Airman stationed at Bentwaters AF near Ipswich, at St. Pancras Catholic Church in Ipswich. She and James recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
She is survived by her husband, James Pursifull of Columbia; son, Simon (Vickie) of St. Charles, MO; daughter, Megan Pursifull (Darren Sexton) of Columbia; sister, Eileen (Dennis) Francis of Ipswich, England; numerous in-laws as well as many nieces and nephews. She was especially fond of her British niece, Clare Van Loenen, and British nephew, John Francis.
Gillian was proud to be sworn in as a United States Citizen in 1982. During her spare time, she enjoyed solving complex puzzles. She was a strong supporter of her family and she greatly admired and loved them. She easily made friends with anyone she met. She will be sadly missed by those she leaves behind. May God bless her and may she rest in peace for all eternity.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
