Crystal Purcell

Crystal June (Schroeder) Purcell, 79, died the evening of December 30th surrounded by family. Born July 17, 1941 in Wagner, South Dakota. She was the seventh child of ten children, and the only child of Helen Hyde and Leo Schroeder to be born in a hospital. Crystal, or Chris, moved several times with her family growing up in South Dakota. In 1959 she graduated from Colton High School. In 1962, she moved to Billings Montana, and on December 28th 1963, she married her husband of 57 years, Thomas (Tom) Purcell. Tom and Chris raised their children Stacy, Carrie, and Mitch along with Tom's first child MaryLynn in Billings. After all of her kids were old enough, Chris decided to get her degree in Social Work, graduating in 1984 from Eastern Montana College. Chris was an advocate for the health and wellbeing of children, and children in the foster care system. She worked tirelessly for Child Protective Services of Montana until retiring at the age of 70. She was extremely proud of her work in helping to establish the Centralized Intake Unit for the State of Montana toward the end of her career. She wholeheartedly believed that it takes a village to raise and care for children. That belief extended directly to her family and friends, often opening her home to those in times of need. She loved to help others on their path, she had an endless capacity for caring. She was a caregiver for her father in his later years, as well as her mother-in-law. Her way of being in the world was that of Helper, Caregiver and Advocate; embodying these roles to her core she was always available for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Chris had many loves and many passions. Our mom was a lifelong democrat, liberal, feminist, and social justice advocate. She followed politics daily, for years. She loved to discuss politics and would find a way to talk about them in almost any subject. In her seventies she made a run for Billings City Council. She was outspoken and unabashed in her beliefs. One of her last requests is that we all vote, democratic of course. She loved projects, could fix just about anything, and if she couldn't fix it YouTube taught her how to repair what needed repairing around the house. Whether it was a remodel in her own house or her children's, she joyfully took it on. She became an expert tile installer and was recently planning to repaint every room in her house for a refresh. A devoted Catholic for years, Chris sang in her church choir, often as the only Alto. She loved music and singing, most recently she would listen to Andrea Bocelli for stress relief. She loved the 3 Tenors and she absolutely loved Neil Young. Our family often had music in the home and she would quite frequently say, “shall we sing?” Chris created a life centered on her family, recently installing a pool at their family home of 48 years so as to bring her family together. Despite being afraid of water, she jumped off the diving board and went down the slide. She loved family gatherings, often cooking large meals, and sweet treats for all. She loved to gather. Being diagnosed with Cancer in July and having to social distance during Covid was especially hard because she loved having her family in her home. We all missed the forever treasured brunches, birthdays, holidays and dinners in these last months. Our sweet, kind, thoughtful, witty, generous, and most of all loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, “Grams”, “Grady” was taken all too quickly from us following her diagnosis of Cancer. We are heartbroken at the loss of our Matriarch, comforted by the belief we have all gained a guardian angel. In our hearts forever, Chris is survived by her Husband Tom, Children: Mary Lynn Purcell, Stacy Purcell, Carrie Purcell and Mitchell Purcell (Stacey Lahey). Her 5 grandchildren: Aimee (Jason) Rich, Ashley (Nathan) Prange, Ali Hanson, Tate Fox and Lillian Purcell; and her 6 great grandchildren, Shamus, Adeline, Thera, and Oskar Rich, and Penelope and Nora Hanson. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Percy, and cat, Kurt, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Donations can be made in Crystal's honor to ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or Angela's Piazza.