Rose Purta

Rose Purta, 87, died peacefully at home. A devout Catholic, Rose believed in the power of prayer and lived her life for God, her church (attending mass daily until her health began to fail), her husband (who preceded her in death and affectionately called her “Rosie”), her children, and her grandchildren. Born Mary Rose Johanna Langham in the city of Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland, Rose was the eldest of five children born to the late Samuel John Langham and Kathleen Harrington Langham. She attended The Presentation Catholic school. After her mother passed away when Rose was 12, her father moved with his children to Chester, England, where he later remarried and added three more children to the Langham family. With her husband Alfred (Al), their five children, and a constant German shepherd, Rose travelled the world as the wife of an Air Force serviceman before settling in Selma, Alabama, and later Raleigh. While living in Selma, Rose and Al were known for the growing of beautiful roses (having over 60 bushes at one time) which they often shared with friends, acquaintances, and their church. Rose was also a talented knitter known for creating beautifully flawless afghans, scarves, and many baby outfits that she always gave away as gifts to family, friends, and acquaintances, until her eyesight began to fail. Rose was also preceded in death by: daughter-in-law, Colette Lotti-Purta; sisters, Evelyn and Lorraine; brothers, Albert, Samuel, and Noel; maternal aunts, May, Margaret, and Bridgette; paternal aunt, Sissy; maternal uncles, Connie and Michael; paternal uncle, Joseph; stepmother, Muriel; and grandparents, Albert and Rose Hand Langham and Michael and Johanna Maloney Harrington, who along with her parents, she spoke of often as being early influencers in her life. Surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Marie Langham, Clive and Allison Langham, and Gary and Fiona Langham all of Chester, England; sons, Michael Karol Purta and Kevin Alfred Purta both of Raleigh; daughters, Darlene Ann Worthington and husband Jean of Meadow, Patricia Ann Laufer and husband Dwayne of Raleigh, and Lorraine Helen Purta of Raleigh; grandchildren, Michael Kevin Purta, Brienne Solange Purta, Kaleb Alston Laufer, Andrew Nicholas Laufer (Heather), Killian Alan Purta, Kenneth Patrick Worthington (Amber), Kieran Alexander Laufer, Skyla Karolina Green (Zachary); great-grandson Case Alfred Worthington; and family cat, Chester. Rose’s body can be viewed Friday, Jan. 22 (10 am to 3 pm) at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. Her funeral mass is 11 am Saturday at St. Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Church, 1008 Vandora Springs Rd., Garner. Interment will follow at Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. The family thanks the staff of Transitions Life Care, especially Cody and Belva whose compassionate care and devotion to their profession, helped Rose and her family immeasurably during her final days. Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.