Jessie Morris Puchaty

JESSIE PEARL (MORRIS) PUCHATY Jessie passed away at home on February 5, 2012 surrounded by the love of a close and caring family after a brief illness. Jessie was born in Olyphant, PA on June 13, 1925, the fourth of six children born to Jessie and Charles Morris. Jessie graduated from Olyphant HS in 1942 and earned her degree in 1946 as a registered nurse from Scranton State Hospital Training School for Nurses. Nursing was an important part of her life for 56 years, whether professionally, as a volunteer, or as a trusted and compassionate resource to family and friends. While Jessie grew up in the coal mining center of northeastern Pennsylvania, she spent the early years of her married life in Louisiana and Oklahoma during the formative years of the gulf oil exploration industry. Both children, Karen and Brian, were born in Oklahoma, but raised in the Florida sunshine in the glory days of the space program. Later experiences took Jessie to Washington state, South Africa and back to Florida. As a grandmother, she became known as Mamie to Erin and Megan, a role in which she excelled and thoroughly enjoyed. Yet that was only preparation for the time she would spend with her great-grandchildren, Emma and Sam, who were a source daily delight to their “GG.” Jessie’s quick wit, sense of humor, and love of conversation will always be remembered, as well as her intense love of and devotion to family. She had a keen interest in politics and current events, and was always up for a spirited discussion of issues. Jessie was an accomplished knitter and loved to read. She kept her sense of humor and feistiness even during difficult health challenges, proof of her strong faith and Yankee independence. Her loss leaves a void in our family that cannot be replaced. She is survived by her daughter Karen of Bartlesville, son Brian and daughter-in-law Ingrid, Granada, Spain, brother-in-law Pat of Richland, WA, brother Joe (and wife Chiyoko) of Aberdeen, MD, grand-daughters Erin (and husband Travis) and Megan of Galveston, TX, and their father Russ (and wife Diane) of Huntsville, AL, great-grandchildren Emma and Sam, and numerous nieces and nephews around the country. Jessie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Jessie Morris, sisters Eleanor, Marion and Frances, and brother Charlie. A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Bartlesville, OK along with a brief blessing in the memorial garden. A reception will follow at the home of Jessie’s daughter, Karen Lewey, 1720-Cherokee Place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN (www.stjude.org). Please express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book (www.stumpff.org). Memorial services and cremation were under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. PDF Printable Version

Jessie Morris Puchaty

June 13, 1925 - February 5, 2012