Julia Thomas Murtha

Julia Thomas Murtha, dedicated mother, constant friend, avid reader, talented actress, and gifted pianist, died on April 15, 2026 at her cherished home of 60 years in Wethersfield, CT.

Born May 5, 1934 in Buffalo, New York, Julie grew up swimming and figure skating on Lake Erie. She attended The University of Rochester for two years before leaving to become a wife to Bruce (Bud) Murtha and a mother to Steven, Mary, Susan, Beth, and Cindy. Later in life, she returned to study at Goddard College earning a BA.

Julie Murtha was a magnetic woman. She was pretty and adorable. And, she could sing, dance, play piano, write, converse, act, recite poetry, type, teach, iron, decorate. A few among her many talents. She enjoyed the company of many dear friends. A gracious and inclusive host, Julie opened her home for cast parties, book groups, garden clubs, emerging feminist groups, musical gatherings, and more.

Julie was passionate about theatre, music, art and literature. She joined many theater groups, led children's theater, acted in plays, starred in Sweet Charity performing in the acclaimed role as Charity. Julie danced on stage, in the living room, at weddings. She could waltz, fox trot, tap, and twist. A pianist and piano teacher, Julie played nearly every day of her life. When a stroke took away the use of her left hand, she continued to play with her right hand, inviting a friend to play the left. Julie sang in her church choir. Her children were accustomed to hearing questions answered in a song. At the end of her life, with memory loss and voice changes, she still sang on occasion, somehow recalling the tune and lyrics.

At home, Julie fostered a culture of art appreciation. She enrolled her children in dance lessons including ballet, tap, jazz and modern. She led her children in song, singing in rounds. Julie read books to her children, one chapter per night at bedtime. She recited limericks about manners at dinner time. She shared poems from a book or from memory about swings, friendships, the ocean, every topic. Julie took her children to museums, church, the library, plays, and hundreds of rehearsals.

Julie was a performer as well as a patron of many arts. Her children quipped, "My mother has tickets!" And indeed she did have tickets - to operas, ballets, chamber and symphony orchestras, Tanglewood concerts, Jacobs Pillow dance performances, broadway musicals, local theater productions, movies, and anything at the Bushnell Theater.

With friends, Julie traveled across continents. She took each grandchild on a special trip. She adored the beach, specifically Hawks Nest Beach. The salt water, sand, and sun soothed her soul. For fifty years, Julie and generations of her family, enjoyed vacations at Hawks Nest Beach.

Julie was the creator of family traditions. At Christmas she delighted in welcoming her children, their partners, her grandchildren and extended family. She included her children's father, his wife and friends of the family. Julie's guests dined at her table, beautifully set with linen, china and scented candles. Wood burning in the fireplace warmed the living room where wrapped and labeled gifts were piled under a decorated tree.

Julie was predeceased by her daughter Elizabeth Murtha-Paradis, and her grandchildren Travis Murtha Tanny and Grace Murtha-Paradis.

She leaves her children Steven Murtha (Nancy Chenkus), Mary Murtha, Susan Murtha, Cynthia Murtha Tanny (Craig), and son-in-law Perry Murtha-Paradis.
She leaves her grandchildren Juliet Murtha Ross (Kim Picklap), Simon Murtha Smith (Sarah Gudernatch-Smith), Gabe Ross, Cea/Claire Murtha-Paradis, Brandon Murtha Tanny (Luna), and Griffin Murtha Tanny, and great grandchildren, Everett and Clio Smith.
Julie also leaves a sister Mary Thomas, niece Julia Boland, and nephew Vincent Fox.

Arrangements to be announced.