Tuesday, April 19, 2016
To the family of Mrs Purdy,
I am deeply saddened by your loss.
I am Scott Robinson, the youngest son of Rod and Irene Robinson.
I was very fortunate to have spent many days of my youth with both Mr. & Mrs. Purdy, who through their patience and kindness, greatly helped shape the man I am today.
I have fond memories of the Purdy Jewellery Store, and also visiting the Purdy home to go swimming or just to visit with Mr Purdy and watch the lawn watering tractor, making sure it followed the hose and watered the entire perfectly manicured lawn. I enjoyed those visits while my Mother, and Mrs Purdy were either swimming or just enjoying the beautiful property on those lazy hot summer days of the late 60's and 70's.
Bobcaygeon was a major part of my childhood years, and many of the great times I had were when I was visiting with Mr & Mrs Purdy.
Both Mr & Mrs Purdy were very kind and welcoming to a kid from Streetsville, who spent many weekends and summer days on his own while visiting Bobcaygeon. My Fathers homestead, 43 Front Street, was home base, and I would ride my bike around every inch of the town, and there were certain locations I had to stop and say hello every time I was in town.
Although going to the Dairy for a ice cream cone was a must on every visit, I also had to stop at Kimble Bait Shop to hear about the most recent fish tale, and to wonder if I would ever get a chance to catch a fur bearing trout, just like the one Dar had mounted on the wall of the bait shop.
But the most consistent stop I always made as a young boy was to the Purdy Jewellery Store.
As I opened the door the familiar bell would ring as I entered the store, a ringing sound that easily replays in my mind to this day because of the positive atmosphere that always followed when either Mr or Mrs Purdy appeared from the back room. They always had a warm smile for me as they knew I was not buying anything, I was just visiting my adult friends to continue our past discussions about my youthful past.
My Father, Rod Robinson, had a long relationship with both Mr & Mrs Purdy, I remember when they went to dances and other Bobcaygeon social events.
When my Father and I would visit the store together they often laughed with great passion, reliving the events of those weekends or events of years past.
I do not believe my Dad bought jewellery from any other store, it was just automatic that purchases and repairs were made at the Purdy Jewellery Store.
When I was old enough, and wanted to buy my Mom a gift charm for her bracelet, it was Mrs Purdy who directed me to the perfect choice, and always gave me that big smile of being proud for me when wrapping the gift I was purchasing for my Mom.
It was on those occasions that I remember what a special person she was. She knew I had very few friends in the town, she knew I was just a kid filling in time when fishing was out of season, or the fish were just not biting, or the water was to cold for swimming.
She also knew where I had stopped in town, ( LOL probably because I had ice cream on my nose ),
but like all adults do, she asked questions that she already knew the answers to.
How was my Mom ?, my Dad ?, my Aunt Helen ? Had I seen my other Aunts and Uncle ? Did I go fishing and had I caught anything ? Was I with my Dad on the most recent visit ? How were my brothers ? Was I playing hockey, or baseball , depending on the season ? She was incredibly gifted at making me feel like I was important every time I visited.
As an adult, and especially when I was raising my two daughters, I often realized what very kind and unique people both Mr & Mrs. Purdy were to me as a young boy.
Mr Purdy always had a smile and something funny to say to me, and there were times I just knew he was busy, especially when he had the head strap magnifier on his head. I was quiet and would watch him work, and probably made my visit short so that I did not bother him, although he never made me feel like I was in the way of letting him get his work completed.
And when Mrs Purdy greeted me, and beamed her beautiful smile at me, I felt I could do no wrong. She continuously carried the small talk discussions we had, I knew I was welcome, although as an adult I realize I probably was a little bit of a disturbance during the work day, but she never ever made me feel that way. It is when you grow older, and especially when you have your own children is when you realize how some people are a gift of kindness to others.
They both showed me how to respect others and to treat people with kindness. They simply showed by example.
After years of not seeing one another, it brought a shiver to my spine when I reintroduced myself to Mrs Purdy at my Fathers funeral in 2010.
We had at few minutes of laughter while reliving some of the moments I have mentioned, and with her tremendous warm smile, she brought back so many of those great childhood memories that she allowed me to share with her.
There were many days that I walked through the door to hear the bell ring, and that beautiful glamorous lady would appear from behind the counter and give me a warm welcoming smile , and without her knowing, she gave to me a great amount of happiness and acceptance.
I hope with my short reflection you understand what a special lady she was to me as a young boy, as she was to many of her friends. She showed me by example how to respect and welcome others, and especially to treat children with kindness. We all grow old unfortunately, but it is the special moments of our youth that always keep us young.
Mrs Purdy will be missed by all, especially her family, but for me, she will always be carried in my heart and my mind as the lady with the warm welcoming smile, that always made my life just a little better every time I saw her.
With sadness, and with happy memories, you will be truly missed Mrs Purdy ,
Scott Robinson
