Mrs. Mary Jane Purtell

Mary Jane (Alexander) Purtell, 81, of Palm City, Florida, formerly of West Hartford and Old Saybrook, CT joined her beloved Bill in eternal life on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her own home.

The eldest child and only daughter, she was born Marie Jane on September 6, 1930 to the late Marie S. (Pallotti) and Elton Hitchcock Alexander. Raised in West Hartford, Jane graduated from William Hall High School in 1948. As a career woman working at Phoenix Fire Insurance Company and later Travelers, she was active in both the companies' women's club. She participated in a variety of company activities, many of which revolved around her love of music and dance. Blessed with a beautiful voice, Jane cultivated her musical skills and at one time contemplated a professional singing career. In 1950, she won the title of "Miss Insurance City" and proudly represented Hartford in the Connecticut Miss America Pageant, where she finished first runner-up. Active in the Connecticut Young Republicans, Jane was selected to serve in the court of honor for Miss Connecticut Young Republican. It was through this group she met her dearly beloved Bill.

Once married, Jane put her pageant days behind her, relocated to Old Saybrook, and dedicated her life to Bill and their daughter, Robin. She became a brownie troop leader and always provided moral support, guidance and most importantly, time to her family. A stay-at-home Mom, she always had cookies and milk ready for Robin after school and was a constant source of support and encouragement. An active member of the Friends of the Acton Public Library, Jane served as the group's president for a time. Jane loved to travel, whether accompanying Bill on business, or with his model airplane hobby. In later years, her deep love of the Catholic Faith lead to her involvement as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Pre-Cana counselor at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Essex. She provided devoted, loving, primary care for her Mom for nearly 6 years, and, after she passed, care of her Dad. After he passed and Bill became ill, they moved from their beloved 40 year home in Otter Cove, Old Saybrook, into Laurel Gardens in Glastonbury, where they enjoyed an active lifestyle until Bill's passing in 2004. Jane moved to Florida in 2005 to be near her daughter and "favorite" son-in-law, and she enjoyed six wonderful years there, with music filling her days. She knew all the lyrics to all the songs from her era and she sang them with enthusiasm. She swam frequently, danced at Happy Hour, and was a delight to those around her. Her beauty and grace remained, as did a special twinkle in her eye.

Jane is survived by her beloved daughter, Robin, and her "favorite" son-in-law, Walter, of Palm City, Florida. She also leaves her three brothers, Robert Alexander of Hartford, Bruce Alexander of New Haven, and Douglas Alexander (Mary) of West Hartford, several nieces and nephews, and her granddogs, Clara and Bella.

Robin and Walter are eternally grateful to Linda Smalley, who provided daily tender loving care and companionship to Mom for over five years, and Linda's daughter, Kim Lawson, who lit up Mom's nights daily for over four years. Mom accompanied Linda, Kim and their families to Disney World in 2007 and traveled to Connecticut with Linda in 2008 for a trip down memory lane, with visits to Deep River, Essex, and Old Saybrook. It was Linda and Kim's expertise and loving dedication that allowed Jane to remain in her own home environment after a stay in a convalescent facility. They remained her daily companions until the very end.

Funeral Services and burial were private. In honor of Jane's love of music, and Old Saybrook, please consider a donation to The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook in Jane's name.