Paula Purkis

Born: 21 January 1941
Died: 27 January 2026
Age 85
Kirkwood, New York & Kings Norton, England 

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, nanny and grandnanny, Paula Purkis, who passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family on the 27th of January 2026. 
She is predeceased by her mother Dorothy and her brother Graham. She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Barry; her four children     Amanda, Julia, Michael (Rachna) and Deborah (Andrew); and her greatest joys, her seven grandchildren - Megan, Kara (Rob), Margot (Hunter), Jon, Mitchell, Matthew and Rachel, and her great granddaughter Ella; along with her extended family and friends in the United Kingdom, US and Canada. 
Born in Kings Norton, England during World War II, Paula experienced hardships in her early childhood but spent her time immersing herself in learning and exploring her creativity – the passions which she carried into her entire life and shared with those around her. 
After receiving her initial education at Kings Norton Grammar School, she then attended University of Leeds and studied education to become a teacher. 
She met the love of her life, Barry, at 14 years old, and from then on, they built a life together: marrying in 1962, beginning a family in 1964, and then emigrating to the United States in 1967 to raise their four children in Kirkwood, New York. 
Paula was an immensely talented and creative person. At any given time you could find her sewing, knitting, painting, playing piano, singing, gardening, tending her flowers, finishing crosswords (in pen only) or creating new projects for her grandchildren to try when they visited. She was constantly on the go and brought her own unique flair and brilliance to everything she did. 
Outside of the home, she shared her love of learning with her many students at the Hillel Academy of Vestal for over 20 years, with science fairs being one of the activities she looked forward to the most. She was an accomplished artist and long-time member of the Fine Arts Society of the Southern Tier. She also had a deep fondness for animals, including her dogs, Bruno, Sammie and Bella, along with her favourite cat Sooty and the many strays that called Zimmer Road home. She could even name each bird that visited by song only. Some of her simple pleasures included being on the boat in the ocean with her family, the colors blue and purple, and a good men’s soccer or tennis match on the weekends. 
She will be deeply missed forever loved, and with us always. 

Funeral services will be held at the Thomas Shea Funeral Home, Inc., on February 12. Calling hours will begin at 3pm with a service, to follow at 4pm. A live stream will be on www.sheafuneralhome.com/obituary/Purkis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fine Arts Society of the Southern Tier on her behalf.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paula Purkis, please visit our floral store.