Rosemary Pursell

Rosemary Pursell, age 84, of Rogue River, died Friday, August 8, 2008 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

No services are planned. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, 7420 SW Bridgeport Road, Suite 200, Tualatin OR 97224.

She was born May 10, 1924 in Grants Pass to Edward & Hazel Randall. She grew up in Cottage Grove and was a World War II veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In 1948 in California she married the love of her life, Earl Pursell. In 1974 she retired from the Orange County Courthouse and spent her free time being a “second mom” to her four grandchildren. She lived in California until 1978 when she moved to Rogue River.

Rosemary loved cooking, baking, sewing, reading, and gardening. Her favorite memories over the years were taking walks with her grandchildren and cooking special holiday dinners for her family. Her home was often filled with the fragrance of roses and lilacs fresh from her garden and the aroma of fresh baked bread, rolls, doughnuts, and cakes. She loved nothing more than have a house filled with family and plenty of homemade food to tempt them with.

Survivors include a daughter, Charlene Merryman of Rogue River; three sisters, Shirley Kurtz of Medford, Sharon Randall of LaConner, Washington, and Frances King of Dana Point, California; a brother Glen Randall of Bellflower, California; four grandchildren Kristin Harrington of Rogue River, Billy Merryman Jr of Port Orford, Daniel Merryman of Vancouver, Washington and Paul Merryman of Plano, Texas; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earl Pursell in 1987; a brother Darrell and a sister Inez.