Janet LaMarr (Button) Purdy

Janet LaMarr (Button) Purdy, 87, loving wife to the late James (Jim) A. Purdy, devoted mother and homemaker, world resident, nature lover, and early feminist who juggled diplomacy as executive spouse with her own indomitable voice, died peacefully December 20th, 2013, in Prescott, AZ. Born February 10th, 1926, in Ithaca, New York, to the late John L. Button and LaMarr (Hanson) Button, Janet graduated in 1943 from Ithaca High School, where she had already shown signs of what would be lifelong pursuits of science, music and the arts. Although World War II and marriage to Jim would interrupt her cadet nurse corps study at Adelphi College, she would seamlessly apply her healing, intuition, and creativity into homemaking, raising children, and support of her husband's international business career. Janet thrilled to the ballet step of stars like Margot Fonteyn, while skillfully watching her own step around great business leaders. She traveled through multiple cultures while living throughout the United States and Great Britain, yet Janet always remained a “small town girl.” She had intelligence, decency and common sense, plus a unique instinct for style. While sporting designer gowns at social fetes, she helped pioneer the comfort of pants for women, whether on an airplane or while cleaning her house. Janet’s supportive and richly diverse life included family, church and choir, educational philanthropy, volunteerism, fundraising sales, Red Cross blood drives, and endless enjoyment of her dogs, horses and gardens. While in England, her passion for history led her to “brass rubbing,” an art to reproduce images on floors, tombs, and nooks inside many churches. Survivors include: Brother John L. Button, Jr., and wife Lois, of Milford, CT; son James A. Purdy Jr., and his wife Marilyn, of Arvada, CO; Jeffrey A. Purdy, and his wife Aline, of Poughkeepsie, NY; Stephen L. Purdy, of Hartford, CT; John A. Purdy, and his wife Janet, of Lakewood, CO; grandson Scott Purdy, his wife Alistaire, and great grandson Drew, of Colorado Springs, CO; Scott's mother Marcia Nordstrom of Brentwood, TN; granddaughter Kelly M. Hanrahan, and husband Stephen, of Greenwich, CT; grandson Nicholas J. Purdy, and wife Nicole, of Valley Stream, NY; Kelly's and Nicholas' mother Lesley Purdy of Greenwich, CT; granddaughter Brooke Grenemyer, and husband Dan, of Lakewood, CO; grandson Matthew Purdy, of Arvada, CO; granddaughter Sarah Purdy, and her mother Jane Purdy, of Fountain Hills, AZ; step granddaughter Briana M. Silletti, and step grandson Jordan D. Silletti, of Lakewood, CO; step granddaughter Jennifer Allocca, her husband Brian, and step great granddaughter, Makayla, of Bethpage, NY.; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to Janet's husband, parents, and her cherished grandmother Adele “Goggi” Hansen, other loved ones preceding her in death include Stephen's partner Philip E. Stearns. Janet was blessed to have a loving team of caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care, and the superb support team at her residence at Alta Vista in Prescott. The family expresses thanks to the whole team, with special thanks to Caroline Pruett, Maria Tornambe, Rachelle Sullivan, Helen Goodman, Maggie Greenwood, Danielle Wiese, Pat Zemer, Perriann Holden, Tamie Phillips, and Phyllis Doss. The family also expresses appreciation to Mom’s doctor, J. Dan Morris, M.D., his nurse Peggy, and Dr. Morris’ team. Visitation will be from 1:00pm to 3:00pm on January 13th, 2014, at the Chapel at Hampton Funeral Home, 240 South Cortez Street, Prescott, Arizona, 86303. A celebration service of Janet’s life will follow at 3:00pm. For anyone wishing to do so, you may make a donation in Janet L. Purdy’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Janet LaMarr (Button) Purdy

February 10, 1926 - December 20, 2013