Ruth Anne Murray

A native of Winthrop, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Christopher and Mae Dempsey Nugent. She was a 1933 graduate of the Bridgewater State Teacher's College in Massachusetts and was an elementary school teacher prior to marrying John C. Murray, who died in 1978. She spent most of her life in Melrose, Massachusetts before moving to Arden with her daughter Pat in 1984.

She was a member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, was active with the Ladies Guild, was an avid bridge player and previously volunteered time with the Asheville Symphony.

Mrs. Murray is survived by two daughters, Patricia Douglas, and her husband Malcolm, of Arden, Jane Murray of Alexandria, Virginia; a son, John Murray, and his wife Jane, of Saugus, Mass.; a sister Mary J. Nugent of Randolph, Vermont; two brothers, Christopher J. Nugent of Sarasota, Fla., John B. Nugent of Randolph, Vermont and four grandchildren, Gavin Douglas, Jenna Murray, Joanna Murray and Jacquelyn Murray. She was much loved by all her family including her step grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the King’s and the Douglas’. Mrs. Murray also was preceded in death by a sister, Therese Nugent.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by the Rev. Roger Arnsparger at 10 am Saturday in St. Barnabas Catholic Church. A Rosary will be said at 7 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Her family will receive friends following until 8:30 pm. A second service will be held Tuesday, June 11th in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, Mass. with interment in the Wyoming Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Barnabas Catholic Church Building Fund, 109 Crescent Hill Drive, Arden, NC 28704 or to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.