Obituary of Margaret Pursell

Margaret Boyer Pursell passed away peacefully on December 4, 2010, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. She was born December 8, 1948, and grew up with her brother and two sisters, in Lewisburg, Pa. She was preceded in death by both her parents, Charles "Don" and Gertrude "Min" Boyer. While in high school she met the love of her life, Craig, and after a long courtship the two were wed on December 27, 1970, in Lewisburg. Margaret loved nothing more than packing some necessities in a burlap sack, turning on a John Denver song, and escaping to the woods with her husband. The two kept that tradition alive while they raised their four children, as they spent summer vacations camping with their kids in numerous national parks across the country. Another treasured vacation spot was Williamsburg, Virginia, where Margaret and Craig also spent their honeymoon. She relished the opportunity to rub elbows with the past, satiating her appetite for history and knowledge. Margaret brought her force of intellect to her life's work in education. She first attended Bloomsburg State Teacher's College where she earned baccalaureate degrees in history and education, and later the College of New Jersey, earning a Master of Education degree. She taught social studies at Bald Eagle Area High School before teaching social studies education at Penn State. She was currently imparting her practical wisdom as an associate professor at Lock Haven University. She always strived to instill a thirst for learning in her students so they could pass down to their future students. She also taught Sunday School for many years at St. John's United Church of Christ in Boalsburg, where she was a deacon and served on various committees. A three year letter-winner in basketball during her time at Bloomsburg, Margaret never lost her competitive spirit. No matter how friendly the game of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, pinochle and tennis with her children, or more pinochle with her college roommates, you always knew Margaret was keeping score. For how competitive she was on the playing field, she was twice as caring towards everyone she met. Later in life, she became dedicated to her five grandchildren, taking every opportunity to spoil them with her love. Nothing could warm her heart as much as reading them bedtime stories, giving her a chance to be a teacher to the youngest among us. She was an educator, a friend, a mother, a wife, and a sage. She will be sadly missed. Margaret is survived by her husband, Dr. Craig Pursell, and their children, Zachary, with his wife Kelley; Matthew; Lynn Ann, with her husband Jeremy Garskof; Adam, and her five grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Betsy Ferguson and her husband Alan; and Susan McKim and her husband John, her brother Charles Boyer and wife Kathy, and her brother-in-law Richard Pursell and his wife Marianne, along with her nieces and nephews. A visitation will be at the Koch Funeral Home, State College, Pa, on Friday, December 10th from 6 - 8pm. A memorial service and interment will be held on Saturday, December 11th at 10 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ in Boalsburg, Pa. A luncheon at the church will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 88, Boalsburg, PA 16827.