Holly Colleen Purpur, formerly of Laurel, passed away on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 at her home in Seaford. Holly was born on Nov. 4, 1953 to the late George F. Purpur Jr., and Colleen R. Purpur. She was a graduate of Laurel High School in the class of 1971. She was a 1975 graduate of McDaniels College, formally Western Maryland College. She also attended Salisbury University, formally Salisbury State, for graduate course work.
Holly was the owner and proprietor of The Laurel Pre-Kindergarten from the fall of 1977 until the spring of 1982. She served as the head teacher and her sister Tammy helped during days when not attending college classes. Through the years she would meet former students and they would converse with positive memories about going to the “The Little School” and remembering Miss Holly and Miss Tammy as their first teachers.
Throughout her life, Holly was involved in many capacities of education working with children of various ages and needs. She was very proficient with the English language and grammar. She was excellent as a writer, proof-reader, and grammar checker for many college papers. Her gift of being a great writer was evident in the beautiful cards or letters that she would send to family and friends. Her passages of great detail reflected how very dear this individual was to her. Holly enjoyed collecting cookbooks and organizing recipe cards.
She was also a collector of various genres of literature such as Shakespeare and Dickens. However, the most important book to her was the Bible. Watching old movies became a pastime for her and her parents. They loved watching I Love Lucy, The Golden Girls and Andy Griffith. Holly cherished many holidays with relatives consisting of aunts, uncles, and cousins that lived next door. She enjoyed going to sporting events when her nieces played hockey, softball, and basketball. She had a keen eye for fashion and decorating. She enjoyed being a Mary Kay consultant for several years. She was especially proud of earning the titles of Miss Laurel and Miss Delaware Fire Prevention in 1970. She had a love for animals, and they became an integral part of her family and abundantly spoiled. Holly attended St. Philip’s Church for numerous years.
She lived her life with Christian principles and helped others in times of need. She was very compassionate and faithful supporting many charities. She will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and cousin. Holly is survived by her sister Tammy Oliphant and her husband Robert of Laurel and her triplet nieces Alexis Oliphant, Kelsey Oliphant, and Taylor Oliphant all of Laurel. She is also survived by her niece Samantha Pickard and her husband James Pickard of England and her great nieces Thea and Halle Pickard whom she got to recently visit with.
A graveside service will be held privately in memory of her life. Arrangements are in the care of Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel. Contributions may be made in Holly’s memory to the Delaware SPCA.