Liz Pursell was respected by all who knew her for her honesty, willingness to help friends and neighbors, as well as her attention to detail with local projects. I first met Liz years ago when I became involved with Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts, an annual event to raise funds for the expansion of Jacksonville Community Center (JCC). Liz was the Secretary of JCC, keeping succinct notes of each meeting. She retired from the Board of Directors following the grand-opening of our newly-expanded center. Liz was so resourceful and willing to help. One day she was walking to the post office during the JCC’s construction while a few of us were removing the back walls of the Sampson House cottage. She turned back home and reappeared at JCC with three shovels in her arms for us to scoop the falling debris. Tiny as she was, she was mighty in many ways.

Quiet as Liz seemed, she and the stories she shared uplifted everyone who knew her. Liz savored in the joy of each friend or family members’ activity, travel and accomplishments, especially those of her grandchildren. As I’ve reached out to other friends of hers for their special memories, their recollections included joyful stories.

All knew others who would tell the same story, like that of Kathy Edwards. Kathy’s mother, Louise, was a good friend of Liz. They recalled Liz’s career as Jacksonville Postmaster, from the location where the Jacksonville Review office is currently located, then at the new Post Office on Oregon Street until Liz retired. Kathy believes the current location was built about 1972 for the production of the Great Northfield Minnesota Raid, a movie in which Louise played the part of Jessie.

Jerry and Sandee Ferronato called Liz one of the doers of old Jacksonville. Jerry said, “Liz was a nice, pleasant lady who was always thoughtful and willing to help, who never spoke an unkind word to or about anyone.”

They first met Liz about 25 years ago at the Seniors’ Brown Bag lunches at the Jubilee Club (today’s Las Palmas). Liz was the club’s Herald, enjoying calling each of the 25-30 members to remind them of the next meeting. Liz shared stories with Jerry of chopping wood for the stove at the ranch in the Applegate before they built their home and moved into town. Mr. Purcell’s father had built and lived in the log home on California Street. Liz and her husband’s Shell gas station/liquor store at 5th and California Streets was known as the last stop heading out of town. They closed it when Rasmussen’s station opened less than a block away.

Jerry was tickled by how Liz’s eyes could tell a story. She would never tell anyone’s secret but would get that grin as her eyes rolled when someone guessed.

Donna Schatz said, “Liz was the best supporter. She would do whatever needed to be done to help others or community projects without ever needing to take the glory for doing so.” She and Liz were on the Board of Directors of JCC together from its inception with a goal to become a larger activity and meeting center. They shared some record-keeping duties and became associated with Lyn Boening who replaced Vi Davis at the local bank.

Jerry and Nell Mathern were former long-time neighbors and were also close through the Presbyterian Church. Jerry said, “Liz never forgot a friends’ special day. She called to wish me a Happy Birthday recently.” Nell said, “Liz was such a true, good friend, always gracious and good. She so loved her children and grandchildren.” She enjoyed meeting friends Shirley Blaul, Mary Ann Burns, Marlene Worden and the others for their Hymn Sing at the historic, pink Presbyterian Church. This group of 80+ year old adventurous ladies is also known as the Vintage Jewels. Liz enjoyed hearing their stories about travel or who had been riding a horse or bungee jumping. Nell laughed as she told me Liz would cut their visits short by saying, “I’ve got to go. The City Boys are coming to see me.”

Liz was frequently seen walking about town, saying she walked so she could. She was also the driver for her friends to get them to meetings and parties. Good friend Melba McIntyre, Lori Peterson of Jacksonville Hair Company, her son Tom and so many other names were given to me that that I could not reach. We could fill a book of stories. Liz will be missed. My heart hurts for her loss yet is filled with the joy and stories we shared. She was truly a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s history and leaves a legacy of success as a devoted mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and as Nell said, “a true good friend.”