Elizabeth Charlotte Purcell Jenkins, age 91, former resident of Cambridge Springs, PA passed away of natural causes on December 10, 2010 in Delaware where she presently had resided. Born on March 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY, she was a daughter of the late William Henry Purcell and Mary “Molly” Elizabeth Metcalf Purcell who migrated to this country from Ireland, her father in 1910 and her mother in 1914.
Elizabeth graduated from Girl’s High School in New York City in 1938 and married Charles Rivington Jenkins on July 17, 1943 in Brooklyn. She held several jobs during her life including being private secretary to Mrs. Jimmy Walker, the wife of the mayor of New York City. During World War II, she worked in the New York shipyards as a payroll clerk and following the war, she moved numerous times, finally settling in Cambridge Springs, PA in 1958, where she made her home for 40 years before locating to Delaware in 1998. In Cambridge Springs, she worked as a librarian at Alliance College library until it’s closing in 1989 and then worked at the Cambridge Springs library.
She was a life member, past worthy matron, and secretary of the Order of the Eastern Star in the Cambridge Springs Chapter # 114 and also the Golden Crown Chapter of Meadville. Also she had been a member of the Cambridge Springs Library Board. During her life, she was involved many years with the Girl Scouts and was a founding member of Delta Zeta Sorority at Alliance College spending many years with them as an active member.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband of 47 years, Charles Jenkins, and her parents were two sisters – Pearl Hayton and Jeanne Purcell and two brothers – George Purcell and Osborn Purcell. Surviving Elizabeth are two daughters – Sandra Cecile Jenkins Stevenson and her husband, Gregory of Bridgeville, DE and Jeanne Elizabeth Jenkins Acker and her husband, George of Saegertown, PA; three grandsons – Randy M. Tepe and his wife, Tanya and children of Bridgeville, DE; John A. Tepe and Patty Frazier of Harmonsburg, PA; and David C. Tepe and his wife, Tina of Meadville. In addition, she is survived by five step grandchildren and their families and by four great grandchildren – Zachary Tepe of Saegertown/Harmonsburg, PA and Karl, Kevin, and Michaela Tepe of Bridgeville, De; nine step great grandchildren and their families; and five step great great grandchildren. Also surviving is her favorite nephew – Addison Groht of Daytonia, FL and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held Satutrday, April 9th at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 335 Venango Avenue, Cambridge Springs from 1:00 to 3:00. An Eastern Star service will be held at 1:30 p.m. conducted by Golden Crown Chapter and a memorial service at 2:00 with Reverend Richard Haemer, pastor of the Saegertown Community Church officiating. Visitation with the family will follow. Interment will be held by the family following the service at the Acker-Rodgers Cemetery located off Route # 198, Saegertown, PA. All are welcome to accompany the family.
I met Mrs Jenkins while a student at Alliance College, Cambridge Springs PA. She was a wonderful friend to a group of girls away from home for the first time. She’ll be remembered for her beautiful smile and the wonderful dinners at her home. She cooked and we did the dishes – what a deal! And she was a terrific cook. Wonderful memories of the Jenkins family. May the good Lord bring the family peace – you are in my prayers.