Maureen G. Purtell Obituary (1951 - 2008)

Maureen G. Purtell, PhD, ARNP, BC Founded Nashua Psychiatric Associates SOUTH CHELMSFORD - Maureen G. (Cody) (Grenham) Purtell, PhD, ARNP, BC, age 57, a resident of South Chelmsford, died unexpectedly on Wednesday July 9th at her home. She was the wife of Richard N. Purtell. She was born in Lowell on April 13, 1951, and was the daughter of the late Frederick J. and Jennie H. (Jaskolka) Cody. She received her early education in Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School, class of 1969. Among her many activities there were Girl Officers and writing a Lowell Sun column, Teen Talk. She continued her education, graduating from Lowell State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Boston College with a Master of Science degree. She then earned her proudest achievement, a PhD in Psychopharmacology from Columbus University. She worked at the E.N. Rogers VA Hospital in Bedford, MA for over 25 years. While there she earned awards for her unstinting devotion to our military veterans. She founded the Lowell Veterans Community Center outreach program and later served as nurse practitioner at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Boston. After retiring from the VA, she was Nurse Practitioner at Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates in Chelmsford and Staffier Associates in Westboro. Subsequently, she started her own practice, Nashua Psychological Associates in Nashua, NH until her illness forced her retirement in 2006. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Keith Grenham and his wife Amy of Ledyard, CT; Kristin (Grenham) Sullivan and her husband Michael of Cary, NC; Kyla Purtell, a student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro; her stepdaughter Melissa (Purtell) Rappleyea and her husband Travis of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Shea Sullivan, Nolan Sullivan, Kaitlyn Grenham, Colton Christensen and Raina Rappleyea; her brother Rick Cody and his wife Mary Ann of Viera, FL; her dear Aunt Jackie Cody of Lowell, as well as several cousins and many friends. Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Monday from 5 until 8 PM. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 AM, followed by her Funeral Service at 12 PM at St. Casimir Church in Lowell. Interment in Heart Pond Cemetery in S. Chelmsford. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in her name to the E.N. Rogers VA Hospital, C/O Volunteer Service, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.