The Rev. Canon James Elliott Purdy, 99, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of New Jersey for 74 years, died Sunday, Jan. 6, at the Evergreens, a continuing care community in Moorestown. Canon Purdy formally retired in 1984 after serving as rector of Grace Church in Merchantville for 18 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Eloise Hughes Purdy, in 2009; his brother, Edward; his sister, Frances Irene Harris Purdy; and his parents, the Reverend Charles Edwin Purdy, M.D., and Mary Frances Ann Ginn. Canon Purdy is survived by his son, the Reverend James Hughes Purdy (Emma Sarosdy Purdy); granddaughters Emma Purdy Coyle (John) and Katherine Purdy Spung (Michael); a great-granddaughter; and his brother, Samuel Edwin Purdy.
Marjorie H. "Tinker" Riley
Passed away on November 24, 2012, at age 87. Beloved wife of the late Ronald and dear mother Ronald P. Riley Jr., Barbara Riley-Grant and the late Christopher L. Riley. Sister of G. William Hall, John J. Hall Jr., Richard Hall and the late Olive Bierschank. Loving grandmother of Matthew P. Riley and great-grandmother of Emma Mae,
Eleanor Ferro (nee McGinley), 89
She was the beloved wife of the late Frank W. and loving mother of Patricia Fields of Merchantville and Karen Whitmore of Pennsauken. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren Morrie Fields, Ryan Fields, Amanda Aaron, and Brian, Ashleigh, and Kayleigh Whitmore; one great granddaughter Maura Aaron; and many nieces and nephews.
Services for former BOE Secretary
Florence P. Casper (nee Pfeil), on November 15, 2012, age 86 years. Born in Camden, NJ, she was a longtime resident of Merchantville, NJ. Beloved mother of Ellen K. Esposito and Peggy C. Horton. Loving grandmother of two grandsons and two granddaughters and loving great-grandmother of one great-grandson. Florence was an active member of First Baptist Church of Merchantville, NJ, and was a secretary to the superintendent of the Merchantville Board of Education.
Sister Anna, 97
Sister Anna Maiorano, MPF, who taught at St. Peter, Merchantville and St. Joseph, Hammonton schools and received the Bishop’s Medal for her service in the Camden Diocese, died Oct. 17 at St. Joseph Hall, Villa Walsh, Morristown, at the age of 97, after a brief illness. Born in Camden, Sister Anna entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1932.
Hazel Shaffer, 98
Hazel Shaffer Horner, formerly of Merchantville passed away in the Masonic Home of N.J. in Burlington Township on Thursday. She was 98. Hazel was a faithful and dedicated member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville where she served as the Women's Club President as many as seven times. She did volunteer work at Cooper Hospital serving more than 21,600 hours of volunteer time. She belonged to and served on AARP of Merchantville-Pennsauken for many years.
Wife of the late Howard Earl Horner, she is survived by her nephew and nieces: Donald B. Shaffer of Delran, Joan Delancey (Nicholas) of Delanco, Carole Shaffer-Koras (Robert) of Westfield; great-nephews, nieces and great-great-nephews and nieces: Henry Hoyt (Rose) of Burlington, John C. Hoyt (Helen) of Burlington, Sandra Haines (Jim) of Juliustown, Francis Guarieri of Burlington, Nicholas Delancey (Melany) of Edgewater Park, Stephen Delancey (Betty) of California, Bruce Dorsey of New Zealand, Joyce Scott (Michael) of Mt. Holly, Cyndi Lamon (James Capobianco) of Cinnaminson, Effie Lovero (Frank) of Pennington, Gail Blinstrub (Robert) of Penndale, Pa., Diana Koros (Stephen Gale) of Merion Station, Pa., Silvia Koros of Seattle, Wash., and many friends at the Grace Episcopal Church and the Masonic Home of N.J.
She will be remembered for being a gracious lady and very giving and kind. A Viewing will be held on Thursday at the Grace Episcopal Church, 7 E. Maple Ave., Merchantville from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Eucharist Burial Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow in N.J. Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, N.J. Due to cemetery restrictions on flowers, please make donations in her memory to either the Salvation Army, 915 Haddon Ave., Camden NJ 08103 or Acacia Hospice, c/o Masonic Home of N.J., 902 Jacksonville Road, Burlington NJ 08016.
Former resident marks 100th Birthday
Eleanor Slim celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday. Her maiden name was Eleanor Hardy Van Tine. In 1936, she married William Slim, and they lived in Merchantville, Camden County, for 35 years. Eleanor served on the PTA of the Merchantville School District and on the Altar Guild and vestry of Grace Episcopal Church. She also was president of the Merchantville