Mary Lucille (nee McNamara) Purtell

Mary was born to eternal life November 15, 2021 surrounded by her six children and rejoining her beloved husband Bob. Mary was 85. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert F. Purtell Jr., her parents Dr. Louis and Lucille McNamara, and her maternal aunt, Ellen O’Connell. Mary is survived by her six children: Lucille Renaud, Ellen Purtell, Molly Bergquist (Jim), Robert Purtell III, James Purtell (Nikki) and John Purtell (Jessica). Mary was a proud grandmother to twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Erik Renaud, Danielle Renaud, Brenna Bergquist, Lily Bergquist, Liam Purtell, Finnegan Purtell, Gracelyn Purtell, Jameson Purtell, Nora Purtell, Claire Purtell, Katherine Purtell, Georgia Purtell, Jack Renaud, Louis Renaud and Remy Renaud. Mary is further survived by her treasured siblings, Bernice “Bunny” Rossini, Dr. James McNamara (Anne) and the Reverend Fr. Dennis McNamara S.J., and her many nephews, nieces and friends.

Mary was born in Montello, WI and moved to Wauwatosa in 1946 where she attended St. Jude the Apostle and Holy Angels Academy High School. In 1958, Mary earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Marquette University and married the love of her life, her husband Bob Purtell. Mary taught 1st grade for the next three years while Bob completed his medical studies before starting their family. Mary and Bob built a home in Brookfield, WI where they spent 40 happy years raising six children together, and enjoyed a rich and rewarding life filled with love and laughter.

Sharing a love of outdoor pursuits, together they planted and nurtured resplendent gardens, and spent free time in their Wisconsin north woods homes in Conover and Land O’ Lakes fishing, swimming, Grouse hunting, sharing precious time with family and dear lifelong friends. Mary was also an outstanding cook, played the piano beautifully and was a lover of all things musical. Later in life Mary and Bob sought out the sunshine and warmth of Naples, FL spending days golfing and enjoying the sea and the sand.

Of all of Mary’s passions, the most enduring was her love of golf. Mary learned to golf as a young girl with her father at Bluemound Country Club and remained committed to the sport throughout her life. For 47 years Mary and Bob were active members at Westmoor Country Club, where they golfed regularly and imparted the same love of the game to their children. If opportunity presented itself, Mary would golf seven days per week, and was happy to place bets on every game and every hole. She adored the Westmoor Ladies Golf League, serving as its President in 1994. In that same year, Mary won the Inverness Club Championship. A fierce and happy competitor, Mary also rarely missed a Tuesday Bridge game with the Ladies Group, and more often than not proudly held the winning nickels at day’s end.

Mary played her last independent round of golf in July 2016 at the age of 80, stopped from further play only by the onset of Alzheimer’s. True to her fighting and independent spirit, she battled ensuing setbacks fiercely. She took great comfort in her family and in her faith. To her last day, Mary gave abundantly of her smiles, her warm hugs and encouragement to others who had physical challenges beyond her own.

The family wishes to thank Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield, WI, for providing Mary with so much love, tenderness and joy, and also the Brighton Hospice team for the tender and compassionate care. The comfort of your care given to Mary and her family is immeasurable.

Services to be held December 3, 2021 at St. John Vianney Parish. Visitation 9:00 AM-10:15 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. 1755 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be most gratefully appreciated. First Tee of Southeastern, WI, 11350 West Theo Trecker Way, West Allis, WI 53214, empowering kids and teens through golf or Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, 57 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille (nee McNamara) Purtell, please visit our floral store.