BUTLER TWP — Jean B. Purvis died two years ago at age 98, and more than 50 people who loved, admired and learned important lessons from the humble-yet-venerable community servant gathered at Butler County Community College’s Founders Hall on Wednesday to celebrate her life.

Those in attendance laughed knowingly as stories about Purvis were shared by those who found it impossible to say “no” when Purvis asked them to serve on a board of directors, raise funds for the health clinic that bears her name or volunteer in any other way.

The memorial service was hosted by Nick Neupauer, BC3 president and a close friend of Purvis.

Four of her five children and two close friends eulogized Purvis, whose civic accomplishments and awards in Butler are practically uncountable.

Bill Purvis said his mother was not athletic, and at one point in her life decided to rectify that through an exercise regimen used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She then took up golf and nailed her second hole-in-one at age 89.

“And she was not daunted by technology,” Bill said.

He recalled that she was admonished by Siri after addressing the virtual assistant with “colorful” language, and she used an iMac to watch videos of the exploits of her children and grandchildren.

“She never stopped evolving,” Bill said. “The strongest lesson is that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.”

Joe Purvis said his mother encouraged all of her children to follow their dreams and exposed them to a variety of new activities.

“Lots of times we were pushed to do things we didn’t know we could do,” Joe said.

He recalled his mother learning to ski and skate so she could enjoy those activities with her children.

Even though she was a busy mother of five and the wife of the late Dr. Joseph D. Purvis, Joe said his mom always noticed when others needed help.

“She would look around and see if there were good things to be done, and she would do it,” he said.

Purvis’ friend of 54 years, Amy Beiler, said Purvis nabbed her husband to serve on the board of directors at Visiting Nurses Association, which Purvis helped create.

Beiler said Purvis was the first woman to join the Pittsburgh Rotary and took golf lessons to lower her handicap so she could be admitted into the Western Pennsylvania Women's Golf Association.

“She was the oldest entrant ever (in the association),” Beiler said.

She also marveled at Purvis’ appreciation of the rock band Foo Fighters and penchant for driving fast.

“But I believe her most outstanding quality was her kindness,” Beiler said. “She loved animals, and she loved humans, especially the needy ones.”

Neupauer said Purvis will be recognized in BC3’s new Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building, which is under construction at the campus.

He then offered the microphone to anyone in attendance who wished to share a memory about Purvis.

Ken DeFurio, president and CEO at Butler Health System, said when he prepared to discuss the health system’s announced merger with Excela Health last week with his board of directors, the first thing he did was pull “The History of Medicine in Butler County” by Jean B. Purvis from the shelf in his office to draw on his friend’s expertise.

“That’s how I started the conversation with the board of directors just a few weeks ago,” DeFurio said.

‘The smartest person I knew’

Her longtime friend Carol Tillotson witnessed both of Purvis’ holes-in-one and played tennis with her as well.

“She was the smartest person I knew,” Tillotson said. “It was a privilege just to be her friend.”

Ruth Purcell, who served with Purvis on the BC3 Education Foundation board of directors, recalled crying every day after her family moved to Butler more than 30 years ago.

Then, one day, a woman she didn't know called and asked her to lunch. Her lunch date was with Purvis.

Purcell’s tears over having to move to Butler ceased after that encounter.

“I said ‘If this town has someone like Jean, I’m in,’” Purcell said.

She agreed with others who said they found it impossible to turn Purvis down when she asked them to take on a task or new volunteer position.

“You’d do anything for her because you knew she’d do anything for you,” Purcell said.

Lifelong Butler resident Marilyn Horan, who is a judge at U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh for the Western District of Pennsylvania, was an early board member at the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center at Purvis’ behest.

Horan said among Purvis’ many outstanding qualities was her natural gift as a teacher to those she knew and loved.

“She taught all of us how to serve, and in today’s world, we all need to revisit that,” Horan said.

She said Purvis also paved the way for women by serving as the first female at many male-only entities.

“I followed in her footsteps,” Horan said.

Kim Reamer, executive director at the community health center, said Purvis loved Neupauer and DeFurio and in her life’s final year, counseled Reamer to go to the two men if she needed anything.

She shared heartwarming and amusing stories about Purvis, who supported the health center and its volunteers in every way possible until she no longer could visit.

Reamer recalled Purvis’ kindness and encouragement when she was a young, unsure administrator at the health center.

“She was absolutely the best mentor anyone could ever have,” Reamer said.

Morgan Rizzardi, a board member at the health center, summed up the thoughts of all who gathered Wednesday to fete the long and remarkable life of Purvis.

“I always say that I want to be Jean when I grow up,” Rizzardi said. “She loved life with passion up to her last day.”