Betty Purdy, who retired in 2008 after 47 years of service to the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, died Sunday at Spanish Oaks Retreat.
She was 87.
She was well known and loved in Catholic circles, a smiling face as receptionist at the Savannah Diocese office toward the end of her career which began in the late 1950's, and was a long-time friend of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, among others.
The two met more than four decades ago when Thomas described himself as a “scared, 16-year-old kid” in 1964 when he was the only black student at St. John Vianney minor Seminary on the Isle of Hope in what became a life long friendship.
Those friendships included the Rev. Kevin Boland, now bishop emeritus of the diocese, and retired Bishop Raymond W. Lessard.
In December 2010, Boland conferred the Papal honor, “For the Church and the Pontiff,” on Purdy for her service to the church.
Purdy recalled enjoying her work which she said never seemed like a job.
“I don’t think there ever was a day I didn’t want to get up, get my clothes on and want to go to work,” Purdy told a Savannah Morning News reporter in December 2008 when she retired.
She moved to Savannah in 1950 with her husband, Bernie. They had three children, six grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and lived in the same house for more than 50 years. She only recently moved to Spanish Oaks Retreat.
Visitation: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Rosary : 7: 30 p.m. Wednesday at the church
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament
Burial: Catholic Cemetery
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel