Bernice Stasny Purcell passed away on March 5, 2015 in Houston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Hugh R. Purcell, Jr., parents Charles and Isabella Stasny and brother Charles W. Stasny.
Bernice is survived by sister-in-law Lou Stasny (Poplarville, MS); nephews Charles D. Stasny and wife Nikki (Houston), Chris Stasny (Oxford, MS), Craig Stasny and wife Kathy (Poplarville) and Curt Stasny (Poplarville); and sister-in-law Joan Purcell English.
Bernice was the founding owner of “My Secretary” secretarial service located in downtown Houston. She was a very active member of the Incarnate Word Academy Alumnae Association where she served several terms as President and Chair of its Friendship Club. She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Houston where she served as a member of the Parish Council, Women’s Club and on the Board of Directors for the St. Theresa Credit Union. Bernice served as Regent of Catholic Daughters Court 2258 Queen of all Apostles, was a past presiding officer of the Texas Chapter of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae (IFCA) and past National President of IFCA, Washington, D.C. She had the distinct honor of being the first layperson named to the Board of Trustees for the University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio. She was a trustee of the Governing Board of Christopher College (Corpus Christi), a member of St. Michael Social Seniors, a member of Heritage Senior Center and an Honorable Colonel of the Order of Kentucky Colonels. Bernice has been listed in American Biographical Institute’s Notable Americans, Personalities of the South, International Biographical Center’s The World’s Who’s Who of Women and the National Social Directory.
In 1996, Bernice was recognized by Channel 11 as Houston’s “Food Angel” for her many years of volunteer work at Turning Point Mission. Her volunteer work extended to the Heritage Senior Center and the Magnificat Houses which offer homes to AIDs and mental patients and battered women. She took great joy in helping those who are less fortunate. Her ministry touched many lives and she will be greatly missed.
A Rosary Service by St. Theresa’s Women’s Club and Sister Brigid Cummins of Incarnate Word Academy will be Monday. March 9, 2015 at 3:00 PM in The Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. Visitation will follow at 3:30 PM and a Vigil at 4:30 PM. Entombment will be Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the Oaks Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Incarnate Word Alumnae Scholarship Fund, 609 Crawford, Houston, Texas 77002 in memory of Bernice Purcell.
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