Betty-Jane Purnell

Betty-Jane Purnell (nee Bunker) on November 10, 2022 of Villas, formerly of Woodbury. Age 95. Wife of the late William E. Purnell, Sr. Loving mother of Linda (James) Sullivan of Nevada, Shirley (Charles) Taylor of Swedesboro, William E. (Marty) Purnell, Jr. of Woodbury, and Judith (Steven) Boyer of Villas. Devoted sister of Gilbert Bunker of Turnersville and sister-in-law of Mary Bunker. Cherished grandmother and great-grandmother to many. A handsome soldier came home from World War II after serving Hawaii, Philippines and Okinawa to his home in South Philly. While teaching Sunday School at Morse St Baptist Church he was purposely introduced to a cute young lady, a set-up between his older sister and her mother. It worked pretty well because they were married in 1947 and became "Bet and Bill". Settling first in South Philly, then across the bridge to Camden and then raising their four children in Westville. Bet was a homemaker and began her lifelong service to the community. Starting in 1955 as a Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader, neighborhood chairperson of Girl Scouts, Assistant Cub Scout Leader and Secretary of Westville PTA, all revolved around children. While living in Friendly Village in Williamstown she became a Democratic Committeewoman and President of the Village Homeowners Association. After her beloved Bill passed away, she moved to Colonial Park Apartments in Woodbury, where she resided for 30 years. There she became president of the Park's Senior Social Club. She was also Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 137 in Woodbury. She was appointed by the Gloucester County Housing Authority as Residential Commissioner and served 20 years 2000-2020. In her spare time, she made crystal earrings and enjoyed many years of art classes. Some of her paintings still hang in the hallways of Colonial Park. She also crocheted every grandchild and great grandchild an afghan, baby blanket, sweater and booties. Bet had a sense of adventure and in her later years. She parasailed in Mexico, hot air ballooned, camped in a tent at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Ft. A.P. Hill in Virginia and fell in love with Puffins and sea otters in Alaska. She was a fun loving Mummer fan and dancer. We will miss her endless smiles, hugs and kisses and laughter. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation, Friday, November 18, 2022 from 10am to 11am in The Chapel at BOUCHER FUNERAL HOME, 1757 Delsea Drive, Deptford, NJ 08096. Memorial Service 11am in The Chapel. The service will also be livestreamed through this link: https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.boucherfuneralhome.com%2Fobituaries%2Fpermalink%2F10752303%2FLTWebcast&data=05%7C01%7Cmark%40boucherfuneralhome.com%7C6ba2516cc9af49a9b31108dac7e9e628%7C96907ad63849441da2dc871abec2eaea%7C1%7C0%7C638042104659043788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=d2fgC3Qt6gbkUPkm%2Bfey5vLLFA094ZQi3KGqR%2B4jONk%3D&reserved=0 Interment Private. In lieu of flower donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 425 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. For directions, to sign online guest book and to view Betty-Jane’s Video Tribute visit www.boucherfuneralhome.com.

Betty-Jane Purnell

August 20, 1927 - November 10, 2022