Ann L. Purpora
Ann L. Purpora, 82 of Hamden, passed away on Jan. 23, 2008 while visiting her son, Nicholas, in France. She was the daughter of the late William P. McCorkindale and Madeline Laurence McCorkindale of So.Hadley Falls, MA, and wife of the late Maurice J. Purpora, creator of the Sanford Barn in Hamden, CT (1947-1961). Born in Holyoke, MA, Ann graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1945 and came to New Haven to study medical illustration with Armin Hemberger, who held classes at the Sanford Barn where young Ann and Maury met. In 1968, the Purpora family moved from Hamden to Ireland where Ann became a master weaver and columnist for the Irish Country Women's Assoc. Back in the US, Ann sang with the New England Bach Festival Chorus for 13 years and worked for the Council on Aging in Brattleboro, VT. Maurice opened the Royal Yard Diner on Putney Rd. in Brattleboro and became an inspiration for Ben & Jerry's new business model. From 1988 till 2005, Ann sang with the Greater New Haven Community Chorus and the Hamden Festival Chorus. Ann is survived by six children: Joseph W. Purpora, husband of Jacqueline Hawley of NYC, Maura P. Davies, wife of Paul Davies of NYC, Nicholas C. Purpora, husband of Cecile L. Purpora of Carcassonne, France, Sarah L. Davis, wife of Frank Davis of Greensboro, NC, Christina M. Purpora of Calif., Felicia R. Adams, wife of Miceal Adams of Auckland, NZ, and son-in-law, Salvatore Gentile of East Haven, thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ann is predeceased by one daughter, Kari A. Gentile and two brothers, Lawrence and William McCorkindale. Ann was a member of the Alumnae Assoc. of Mt. Holyoke College, Assoc. of CT Choruses and the Women's Alumnae Assoc. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Sat., Feb. 9, 2008 at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 WHITNEY AVENUE, HAMDEN. Friends may call on Friday from 4PM to 8PM. Donations may be sent to: Ann Purpora Memorial Fund, 10 Hillside Ave. #4E, New York, NY 10040.
Dear Felicia (and brothers/sisters) I am sorry to hear that your mother has passed away. I hope life was kind to her as I hope it has been to you. I miss you very much and have been deluged with all my memeories of you and time spent together. Your spirit and beautiful hair are but a few things that make you unforgettable. I would love to hear from you and have wondered so many times how your life has been. Hard to believe how much time has passed. Please email me at your convenience. I love you as always, Laura Momaney
Dear Maura…and all, I remember your Mother’s kindness, her zest for life, her quick laughter and easy-going demanor…and MOST of all her love for her children and all who surrounded them….I was one of those who delighted in her welcome,I will always remember her as .Maura’s Mom in the VW bus…my thoughts and prayers are with you….Deb Collett
Dear Purpora family members, It was with sorrow that I read of Ann’s death. As some of you may remember, I was the Meals and Wheels Co-ordinator for most of the time that Ann drove the stationwagon for the seniors and delivered meals to them here in Brattleboro, I worked closely with Ann. Ann was always a ray of sunshine in these Senior’s lives. Her kindness, patience and beautiful smile were the high point of these often otherwise isolated Seniors. She went about her daily work with a smile and a happy heart. I remember one Christmas she gave all of .her. seniors a gift of one perfect orange, wrapped in navy blue tissue paper, with silver ribbons. These oranges brought back many childhood memories to the Seniors. They loved then and were most appreciative of Ann’s thoughtfulness. She was an extraordinary woman and I am blessed to have known her. Thank you for sharing your mother with all of us up here. Jody Haley
I worked with Ann for the Meals on Wheels Program in Brattleboro. She was an inspiration to me. I am smiling when i think about the time we had together. She was a good person to work with. Although I have not seen Ann in years, I know all will miss her. Ronnie Friedman
My mom,Teresa Castiglione(Urso)used to take us fishing on your pond in Mount Carmel. Our car (1952 Chevy) broke down and we went up to the house to call our dad for help. Ann gave us something to eat & drink while we waited for our father (who just passed away last week at Hospice in Branford) to come & take us home. I remember .many. fireplaces within the house. Visions of the waterfall at the Sanford Barn as a small child when visiting .uncle Joe.. I also graduated from Hamden High in 1968.
our sincere sympathy to the entire family. the hills of southern vermont have lost a dear friend.ann was a wonderful woman with a great smile and a role model for many of us. when ann left vermont she left an empty space that could never be filled by anyone else. ct. was blessed as we were to have known her. love to the family, sincerely, francis and jean momaney, rice farm road dummerston vt.