Purbrick, Ethel Mary

PURBRICK, Ethel Mary
October 11, 1937- October 31, 2024
Ethel Mary (Blackburn, MacPherson) Purbrick died on October 31 in her 88th year. She was predeceased by her husband Bob Purbrick. Ethel was a fiercely proud mother of four MacPherson daughters (Kerrie/David Gatchell; Bonnie/Rick Schubert; Heather; Jaye/Tarik Dean) and a trailblazer throughout her life. Ethel was born in Krugerdorf, Ontario where she and her three siblings Bill, Bud and Kathleen famously walked over a mile (uphill both ways!) to the one-room schoolhouse where they were educated. Defying a father who thought higher education was wasted on girls, Ethel enrolled in teachers’ college in North Bay where she discovered her passion and her gift. When she graduated, Miss Blackburn secured a position at Englehart Public School teaching fourth grade. Her reputation was that of a caring teacher who would spare no effort to help her students. In some cases, that meant inviting hungry children home for a hot meal or providing mitts to a child who had none. For students who were struggling, Ethel had endless patience and an encouraging approach that helped many realize their potential. Her 40+ year teaching career included three decades of teaching Grade One. She loved nothing more than seeing the eyes of a child light up as they learned to read and were able to explore the world through books. Her gift for teaching extended beyond the classroom and over the years, Ethel quietly taught dozens of adults to read as well. Ethel believed in the importance of education and while working full time and mothering four young girls, she completed her Bachelor’s degree at Laurentian University through a combination of part-time and correspondence studies. And while accomplishing all this, Ethel made time to sew identical outfits for her four girls and laugh off moments like when one of the girls was sitting at her feet using scissors on the very garments she was sewing! In retirement Ethel and Bob loved traveling in their RV and particularly enjoyed their trips to Alaska. If there was a Steam Show they would park the RV and while Bob was demonstrating one of his steam tractors, Ethel would be selling raffle tickets in support of the local club. Ethel instilled in her daughters the belief that that “nothing is out of reach, even for a kid from Dack Township, as long as you’re prepared to work hard for it”. Ethel encouraged each of her daughters to participate in public speaking starting in first grade. In their teenage years, she may have occasionally regretted having taught them to speak out! She took endless pride in their accomplishments and revelled in the stories of their world travel. One of her greatest delights was seeing the strong bond and friendship among her daughters. She will be missed by many and her legacy will live on in those whom she inspired. A Celebration of Life, followed by interment, will be held at McDonald’s Funeral Home in Englehart on Thursday, December 12. Gifts in Ethel’s memory may be made to https://www.canadahelps.org/…/honouring-ethel-purbrick/ Ethel’s daughters want to say special thanks to the amazing team at TPR who loved our Mom and took such good care of her, and to Vivian Clark who was there to visit while they were far away.