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Gretta Purtill-Thissen
September 29, 1951 - January 11, 2013
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<div itemprop="description">On Friday, January 11, 2013, Gretta Purtill Thissen passed peacefully, in her 62nd year, surrounded by family.&nbsp; Cherished wife of Herman Thissen for 41 years.&nbsp; Loving mother to David and Benjamin.&nbsp; Sister of Miriam, John, Tim, and Stephanie Purtill.&nbsp; Fanciful aunt to many nephews and nieces.&nbsp; Survived by a loyal extended family and many friends.&nbsp; Gretta shared a rich life with her husband and two sons.&nbsp; Photography, camping, nature, and arts and literature brought her joy, and she was passionately involved in social justice and women's issues. <br /> <br /> In lieu of flowers, tribute donations may be made to Covenant House online at https://www.covenanthousedonations.ca/sslpage.aspx?pid=409 or 20 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON&nbsp; M5B 2P3&nbsp; 1-800-435-7308.&nbsp; After making a donation, click ' <u> Submit Donation Notification </u> ' and fill out the form, then return here to the ' <u> Donations </u> ' page above to notify family and friends. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b> Saint Brigid's Prayer </b> <br /> <p> <br /> I'd like to give a lake of beer to God. <br /> &nbsp; I'd love the Heavenly <br /> Host to be tippling there <br /> &nbsp; For all eternity. <br /> <br /> White cups of love I'd give them <br /> &nbsp; With a heart and a half, <br /> Sweet pitchers of mercy I'd offer <br /> &nbsp; To every man. <br /> <br /> I'd make Heaven a cheerful spot <br /> &nbsp; Because the happy heart is true. <br /> I'd make the men contented for their own sake. <br /> &nbsp; I'd like Jesus to love me too. <br /> <br /> I'd like the people of Heaven to gather <br /> &nbsp; From all the parishes around. <br /> I'd give a special welcome to the women, <br /> &nbsp; The three Marys of great renown. <br /> <br /> I'd sit with the men, the women and God <br /> &nbsp; There by the lake of beer. <br /> We'd be drinking good health forever <br /> &nbsp; And every drop would be prayer. <br /> <br /> -- <i> Selected stanzas from a translation by Brendan Kennelly </i> </p> </div>