Edith Helen Purser

Edith Helen Purser of Austintown passed away with family at her side on March 29, 2008, at Briarfield at Ashley Circle, where she had been cared for over the last four months. Edith was born to Harry and Ella Staup Hall on January 12, 1917, at the family farm near Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, and during her secondary education, she skipped a grade and graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1935 of Ohiopyle High School. The summer after her graduation, she performed domestic tasks at Frank Lloyd Wright's nearby Fallingwater home prior to occupancy by the Edgar J. Kaufmann family. In 1938, she moved to Youngstown, Ohio. She married Robert Purser on May 14, 1941, and assumed the role of homemaker. She gained employment outside the home in the early 1960s at LaFrance Dry Cleaners and later with Home Savings and Loan, from which she retired in 1982. An active member of Ohltown United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, Edith presided as communion steward and attendance steward. She also served terms as treasurer and reading resource coordinator of the United Methodist Women. She held membership in the Austintown chapter of AARP and enjoyed the fellowship of friends through Keenagers of North Jackson and the Home Savings and Loan retiree group. Edith enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling and sewing. She strove to maintain her independence and was successful almost to the end. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Purser, who passed away May 26, 1973, her parents, her brother Harry Dale Hall, and her sister Edna Stull. She leaves her daughter and son-in-law Linda and William Hahn of Austintown, granddaughter Sarah Hahn of New York City; a brother Robert Hall of Liberty, and several nieces and nephews. The family extends sincere gratitude to the staff of Briarfield at Ashley Circle and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, who made Edith's final days easier. In lieu of floral remembrances, memorial gifts may be sent in Edith's name to Ohltown United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2001 Ohltown Road, Mineral Ridge, Ohio, 44440. Calling hours will be observed from 5 to 8 PM Monday, March 31, 2008 at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel. A private family service will be held at the Chapel at Green Haven Memorial Gardens on Tuesday. Friends and Family may send there condolences to www.lanefuneralhomes.com.