Wendell L. (Collins) Purchase

Wendell “Wende” L. Purchase, nee Collins, age 77, of Maywood, passed away July 23, 2023. Beloved wife of Cecil; loving mother of Preston; daughter of the late Australia and Daisy Mae Collins and devoted bonus daughter of the late James Edward Jones, Sr.; dearest sister of Annette (Kenneth) Hill, Barnette “Barbara” Jones, and the late Gwendolyn (Lee) Burpo, the late James “Bobo” Jones, Jr., the late Bruce Albert Jones, and the late Dannie (the late Charlene) Jones and sister-in-law of Steven (the late Twymeni) Purchase, Winston Purchase, the late Heather Purchase and the late George (Karen) Jerome Purchase; treasured aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend of many.

As a little girl, Wende dreamed of becoming a teacher. In high school, she was the President of the Future Teachers of America Club and volunteered her summers educating young children in creative arts as she was a skilled painter of portraits and a poet. She later realized the fulfillment of her dream came to fruition as a loving mother and caretaker of other children.

Wende was a summa cum laude graduate of Hyde Park Academy High School (f/k/a Hyde Park High School). She enlisted in the Navy on November 20, 1964, and was inspired by a deep connection with her great-grandparents to serve as a Hospital Corpsman (Nurse) at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. After her Honorable Discharge, she chose a career as a Copywriter and Administrative Professional and worked for the likes of USC, Shell Oil, Northwestern Univ. and Loyola Medicine. Her passions were gardening, the arts, fashion, interior design, animals, and children.

For over 50 years, Wende was a member and supporter of Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA), where she held many leadership roles throughout the years in the Young Women’s Division (YWD) and Women’s Division; foremost of all an American Pioneer Member of the Fife & Drum Corps in the YWD. Wende made countless like-minded friends dedicated to the study of Buddhism, the practice of improving oneself while helping others and keeping the Faith of the Eternal Guidelines: (1) Faith for a harmonious family, (2) Faith for achieving happiness, (3) Faith for overcoming obstacles, (4) Faith for health and long life, and (5) Faith for absolute victory.

As an SGI band member, she met a charming saxophonist, Cecil, who became her devoted husband of 47 years. They grew a loving family together by raising their well-rounded son, Preston. He learned more from her than any teacher could inform. Her life lessons included the importance of respecting your elders and women, and how making a first impression goes a long way in any walk of life.  

Wende leaves behind wonderful memories of her first-class wit, her nurturing heart, her tenacious persistence, her unparalleled creative talent, and her eternal love of her family.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 19th, 2023, (10amCT) at Soka-Gakkai International USA Chicago Buddhist Center, 1455 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago.

Private Interment, date TBD, at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens, 826 N Kings Hwy, Wake Village, TX.

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