Marigrace Purtee

Mrs. Marigrace “Mary” Downer-Purtee (known as Muggy to her brothers), age 76, left us in spirit on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Gilbert, Arizona. Born November 11, 1934, in St. Joseph County, Indiana in her family home. She grew up there moving to a few places along the way but staying in Indiana. She met and married the man of her dreams on June 5, 1954 after he proposed to her over the phone. They moved to North Carolina while Bob was in the service. Once he was discharged from the Air Force they moved back home to Indiana to take care of family. Eventually having all the kids and deciding to move to Arizona. She took a few jobs, working for Target for a while and then the Beauty Shop which she loved. We all know her for her amazing love of sewing and cross-stitching. I am sure that we were all blessed with a blanket or some of her sewing in some way.

Preceding her death was a man she loved for more than 52 years, Robert “Bob” J. Purtee. Survivors include her 5 children: Bill, Ed , Tracy, Avanell, and Iolene; 17 grandchildren: Jonathan , Nathan, Bernita, Nick, Alexa, Christopher, Zac, Alicia, Holly, Shadd, Kym, Alena, Courtney, Alaecia, Jeremy; Casey, Shelly; along with 34 great-grand children all whom she loved and cared for so much.

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,

This is the legacy we have from you.

You taught us love and how to fight,

You gave us strength, you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find,

And in your heart, you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another,

Not just as a wife not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best,

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you've earned your sleep,

Your love in our hearts, we'll eternally keep.

Forever and Always WE Love You……

Arrangements are entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care 400 South Power Road Mesa, Arizona 85206 (480)830-4422. Please pay tribute to Marigrace Purtee by visiting www.MariposaGardens.com.