Mrs. Sandra June Purcell (nee Illsley) of Red Deer, Alberta passed away peacefully, with her husband by her side, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at the age of 77 years. Sandra was born on December 23, 1945 to Avard and Hazel (nee Pineo) Illsley in Middleton, Nova Scotia. Sandra graduated from Middleton Regional High School and went on to attend Acadia and Dalhousie Universities, graduating from both with Bachelor’s Degrees. Sandra met Wayne at a dance in the mid 1960’s, and they were married on August 15 of 1970, settling in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. Their family was completed with the birth of their daughters, Kerry-Anne and Erin. Sandra taught Elementary School for ten years before deciding to stay at home and raise the girls. As a family, there were many camping trips throughout Nova Scotia, especially to their favorite place, Kejimkujik National Park, and across North America. There was even a brief stint at sailing. Sandra and Wayne continued their camping into retirement, travelling across Canada many times to visit their daughters out west, wintering in Arizona and exploring Nova Scotia. Sandra and Wayne moved to Red Deer, Alberta in 2012, to be close to grandchildren, where they continued to camp independently, with family, and their camping group. Sandra was a member of First Baptist Church, Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia for forty-two years and of First Baptist Church, Red Deer, Alberta for the last ten years of her life. This played a very important role in her life and these beliefs continued to be a source of comfort and strength in her final weeks and months. Sandra will be lovingly remembered by her husband of over fifty-two years, Wayne Purcell of Red Deer, Alberta, her daughters, Kerry-Anne (Gordon Neiman) Purcell of Millet, Alberta and Erin (James Schinkel) Purcell of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, her grandchildren, Olivia, Zachary and Alexander Neiman and Matthew Schinkel. She will also be sadly missed by her brother, David (Marian) Illsley of Florida, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald (Carole) Purcell, Dennis (Jean) Purcell, and Betty (Cecil) Pothier all of Nova Scotia, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Avard and Hazel Illsley and a brother in infancy. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Sandra’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Red Deer Home Care, and Palliative Home Care for the great care that they provided to Sandra (as well as Wayne) and the Red Deer Hospice Staff, who treated Sandra with care, respect and dignity during her final weeks while supporting the family. If desired, Memorial Donations in Sandra’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice.com. A Funeral Service was held at the First Baptist Church, 4310 – 39 Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend the Service, it will be livestreamed. Please go to www.parklandfuneralhome.com and click on Live Stream button at the top right-hand side just prior to 2:30 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2023-02-24
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com