Obituary of Bonnie Leigh Purcell

Bonnie Leigh Purcell, 62, of New Gloucester, died on September 2, in the comfort of her home, after a long illness.  She was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 19, 1961 to John C Purcell, Jr and Arlene G (Hemenway) Purcell. She grew up in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts until relocating to New Gloucester, Maine with her family in 1975, where she was a graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School, class of 1980. She went on to receive her associates degree from USM.

Bonnie was an animal and nature lover, working as a Camp Counselor at Agassiz Village and volunteering as a 4H Leader in her teen years and early adult life.  She loved to travel and spent decades chaperoning trips for Outpoint and Smiling Faces Vacations. Her favorite travels included all State Parks, Hawaii and Texas Dude Ranches, but she would probably like me to reiterate how much she disliked Paris.  When she wasn't traveling the world, Bonnie could be found at home, surrounded by her beloved animals, family and friends, or in her prize-winning herb garden and flowers. To know Bonnie was to know what true happiness was. She always had a song in her heart and a smile that radiated light from her Tie Dye Soul!  She was a jokester and enjoyed many light-hearted laughs at the expense of her brothers, daughters, friends and unsuspecting strangers.  She was always the life of the party and had the Gypsy Spirit of a rolling stone.  She lived her life in the fast lane and on her own terms, until the very end!  She touched the lives of so many, everywhere she went and will be so sadly missed.

Bonnie is survived by her daughters Victoria Purcell, and partner Steven Damon of Buckfield and Aubree Carver of Naples, Her Grandson, Tanner Cormier, who was her world, Granddaughters Kelsey Damon and Gabrielle Damon, both of Canton and four Great Grandchildren, Orion, Isla, Cove and Ripleigh. She is also survived by her six siblings, Beth McAuslin, and her husband Lefty, of Monmouth, Linn Purcell, of Portland, Steven Purcell, of Mashpee, Mass., Skip Purcell, of Auburn, Eric Purcell, of New Gloucester and Andrew Purcell, of Gray, An Aunt, Margaret Lawson of Middleboro, Mass., Many Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nieces and Nephews. Also, her devoted, longtime friend, Nancy Bisson and entire extended Bisson family.

She is preceded by her parents, John and Arlene.

The family would thank Maddox Purcell, her Great-Nephew and neighbor, for his quick-thinking actions last September, which gave us one more year with Bonnie. To Nancy Bisson, whose devotion and care saw her through this last year and whose hand held hers until the very end. And to her Androscoggin Home Hospice team, most notably, Sheila, thank you!

A Tie Dye Tribute Celebration of Life will take place in the spring to allow for planning and attendance of many family members and friends from out of state. In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice by visiting their website and clicking on the Donate tab of their homepage.