|
Victoria (Arduino) Purnell, 49 Loving wife and mother BELVIDERE
Victoria Lynn (Arduino) Purnell passed away at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, June 19, 2005, in her home after a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer. Born August 17, 1955, to Anthony V. Arduino and Bena (Basile) Arduino. Married John W. Purnell of Pecatonica March 18, 1978. Vicky graduated valedictorian from Auburn High School in 1973. Achieved membership of National Honor Society 1972-1973, and was an AFS exchange student in San Jose, Costa Rica, summer of 1972. Graduated and received B.A. with high honors 1976 with triple major from ISU. Received M.S. Ed. from NIU in 1996, graduating with high honors. Vicky loved working at Rock Valley College from 1985 to 2003. Her valuable contributions included Project Management/Leadership and Grantsmanship. She designed and implemented the Traffic Safety Program. From 2003 to present, Vicky enjoyed working for the SwedishAmerican Health System-Center for Complementary Medicine. Vicky was a consultant from 1997 to 2002 for the UIC of Rockford, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Family Practice Residency Program, and co-designed a model curriculum in Community Medicine. She also enjoyed consulting with RAMP, and served gratis 1990 to 2004 at United Way of Rock River Valley, chair, one of four community impact councils addressing health and human service needs in the region. Her recent accomplishments include co-founder of the Northern Illinois Center for Non-profit Excellence-Rockford College. Vicky was a woman who defined the word integrity. She always looked for ways to help improve the quality of life for family, friends, even strangers first before thinking of her. She loved to relax in the outdoors with a book, fishing pole or both in hand. Survivors include her husband of 27 years, John W. Purnell, and daughter, Jennifer K. Purnell, both of Bel-videre; mother, Bena (Basile) Arduino of Rockford; brothers, Paul (Linda) Arduino of Rockford, Anthony (Joyce) Arduino of Fort Col-lins, Colo., and Timothy (Natalie) Arduino of Dallas, Texas; father- and mother-in-law, William J. and Alice W. Purnell of Pecatonica; sisters-in-law, Marcia P. (John) Flynn of Pecatonica and Susan (Greg) Peck of Golden, Colo.; and all nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews she so dearly loved. Predeceased by father, Anthony V. Arduino. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Rockford, with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas Bales officiating. Entombment in Sunset Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 24, with a rosary recited at 7, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday in the church. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the family for a memorial to be established in her name. Send condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
|
