Contributions to the tribute of Ruth Ilene MURPHY

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The family of Ruth Ilene MURPHY uploaded a photo

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Monday, February 22, 2016

Dear Peter, Janice, Kathleen, and Sharon, Thinking of you in the loss of your Mom and send sincere sympathy. Susan and I have such wonderful memories of times with your family over many years. I'm so glad I had the chance to talk to Ruth in the last year... and still feel her love. Somehow I see our parents joyfully reunited! With love and fond thoughts, Jill Halliwell and Susan McCabe

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Peter, Janice, Kathleen, Sharon and families, As you celebrate and commemorate the life of your mother today, we want you to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Aunt Ruth was always a special relative; my father shared many fond memories of his big sister with us as we grew up. If we were able to be with you today, I m sure that we d be reminiscing about some of those days of long ago. As you know, your mother was named because a picture of Ruth the gleaner of the Old Testament that was in the bedroom where she was born on Saint John s Acadia Street. She would come to have many of the qualities of this woman of long ago. Learning to cope with poverty was just one such virtue. Our grandfather would often come home late from his butcher shop on Saturday night, having put hard candies and the Saturday funnies in his coat pockets for the children. Your mother remembers raiding his coat on Sunday morning for the treats. His reserve army uniform was made into a skating jacket for her. When our grandmother was wondering what to call my dad, it was your mother s suggestion of a classmate s name that led to his being called Eric. Ruth s most memorable childhood Christmas was one in which a large parcel had her name attached to it. As she turned the box over, it said ma-ma . Ruth had asked Santa Claus for a talking doll. When she tore the paper off the present there was a beautiful doll that said Ma-ma . It wasn t too long before she took it outside to proudly display to her friends in the neighbourhood. Did you know that she was sometimes volun-told to serve ice cream at Orange Lodge picnics? One of the family books that both she and my father enjoyed was one about the Titanic. In 1937, she saw the Hindenburg fly over Saint John on its way to New Jersey. Your mother s sense of duty was there from the beginning. Sometimes she was the babysitter for her younger siblings. On one occasion, Ruth took her younger brothers and sisters to the beach. Eric had a new hat, and her mother had told Ruth to make sure that nothing happened to it. However, the kids had sparklers and Eric decided to play with his by putting it under his hat. The sparks made holes in the new hat s lining, and Ruth was afraid to go home. Following her father s death, she and her older siblings became the Davidson family breadwinners. One of her first jobs was as a clerk at Woolworth s. Not a bad thing as it turned out, for that is where your dad s sister worked. And the rest, they say, is history. Besides the various summers in our childhood when your family visited us at our old Camp, we also have memories of Murphy hospitality during Expo 67 and my days at Queens. It meant a great deal to a young Maritime university student to have a home in Montreal where I was always welcomed. Finally, it was a wonderful treat for Gill and me to be able to visit your mother in Kingston last year. Rest assured that your cousins across the country are reflecting on the good old days and the wonderful woman who brightened them for us all. Stephen

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Monday, February 8, 2016

Dear Murphys and all: So sorry about the passing of Aunt Ruth, your Mother and Grammy. You will miss her greatly. We will miss her also.She was a gracious and loving person who left love in her wake for all to feel. We, just last week received a Christmas card from her and she said she would soon call. Like her to do thoughtful things to the end. David and Lois Rickard and Family--Grand Bay New Brunswick

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Peter, Janice,Kathleen,and Sharon. Our loving sympathy. We have fond memory's of our visit's with Aunt Ruth and all of you. We will send a donation to her church.Love Neal and Trena

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Sunday, February 7, 2016

I have to admit I have mixed feelings when I think of the passing of your mom (and the previous passing of your dad). On the one hand I have such wonderful memories of having dinners with the Murphies, of the Murphies coming over to visit mom and dad, and of you folks allowing Jim and I to spend a week at your home in Montreal. I admit, I still smile when I see our huge drifts of snow, and think "but these are nothing compared to Montreal". But at the same time I am filled with sadness at the hole in our lives which only your parents could fill. Please accept my sincere condolences on your mom's passing. She was a wonderful role model, and always gave you a welcoming smile when you met. She will be missed. Marg (Anderson) Johnson

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Dear Peter, Janice, Kathleen and Sharon: The last time I saw all of you was at your Dad's funeral and now it is your mother Ruth that I again feel a sadness. She has lived a fruitful life and she has been a blessing to families like mine. She was motherly to all of us and we felt safe and secure knowing she was never far from us. She kept contact especially at Christmas and of course whenever the occasion called for it. She always had a gentle smile and shared with each of us her calming words of comfort. Your lives will now be different but you may rest assured that she is safe with her Lord and today there is a new star in Heaven to company with Pat and her dear ones already there. God is with her and He is with you as well. With warm thoughts and condolences, John and Kim Andrews

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Peter, Janice, Kathleen and Sharon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all this weekend, as you prepare to bid adieu to Aunt Ruth. I had wanted to come to her memorial service, but feel that commitments here and weather concerns make that not possible. I wanted you to know what a wonderful influence you mother was to my Mum, Linda and I over the years. Michelle, Alex and Rob are also saddened by her passing. Big hugs to all. Love Wendy

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Peter, Janice, Kathleen and Sharon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all this weekend, as you prepare to bid adieu to Aunt Ruth. I had wanted to come to her memorial service, but feel that commitments here and weather concerns make that not possible. I wanted you to know what a wonderful influence you mother was to my Mum, Linda and I over the years. Michelle, Alex and Rob are also saddened by her passing. Big hugs to all. Love Wendy

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Ruth you were a wonderful big sister to me. You were my mother in so many ways, although you always told me "I'm not your mother you know". I am sad that you will no longer be there for me to phone, but I know you are having an wonderful reunion with dear Pat, Murray, our Mum and Dad and our brothers and sisters. Love you. Helen

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Dear Peter, Janice, Kathleen, and Sharon, In the midst of our feeling of loss, we give thanks for Ruth's long life of Christian service and mentoring. Through the years we have also been the recipients of her gracious hospitality on numerous occasions at their homes in Pointe Claire, Mississauga, Florida, and Kingston. Regrettably we are in Florida for the winter and unable to attend the service and express our sympathy to each of you in person. Be assured of our love and prayers as you gather on Tues. to honour her life and legacy. May God grant you His peace and grace for the days ahead. With sincere sympathy, Lenora & Bob Jamieson

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Anonymous posted a condolence

Friday, February 5, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss Peter, Kathleen, Sharon and Janice. I remember your mother so well when I lived in montreal. Michele Yeates

In loving memory of

Ruth

2016