Ruth S. Murphy

DRACUT -- Ruth Shirley (Fowler) (Bradbury) Murphy, 86, a former longtime Lowell resident and winter resident of Naples, Fla., died Wednesday, Aug. 24, at her home in Dracut surrounded by her family. She was the wife of William J. Murphy, who died in October of 1998.

She was born in Lowell, Jan. 1, 1919, daughter of the late Walter and Mae (Robinson) Fowler. She attended Lowell schools and Butler Junior High School. She later graduated from Tewksbury Hospital School of Nursing in 1961.

Mrs. Murphy was a volunteer for the Lowell Association of the Blind under Betty Russell. She was also a volunteer at the Opportunity Thrift Shop in Naples, the Naples Community Hospital and the Naples Friendship Center.

Mrs. Murphy entered beauty pageants and was voted Mrs. Lowell of 1948 and Mrs. Flamingo of Miami in 1950, according to family members.

She loved going to thrift shops and traveling. Mrs. Murphy was an avid painter and loved working with stained glass. She also loved going to Boarding House Park concerts and the Philharmonic in Naples, and making Chinese fortune cookies with her sister, Gladys.

Mrs. Murphy is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Lois J. and Ernest H. Gunther of Dracut, with whom she resided; two sons, George A. Bradbury of Naples, Fla., and Duane L. Bradbury of North Conway, N.H.; a granddaughter, Lisa Ruth (Bradbury) Feeney of Dracut; and her other grandchildren, Lynda Bradbury, Gerald Bradbury of Naples, Fla., Susan Gunther Boutin of Pelham, David E. Gunther of Dracut, Scott, Erik and Karen Bradbury of North Conway, N.H.; seven great-grandchildren, Derrick, Vanessa and Sarah Perez-Justin, and Jeremy Feeney-Dillon, Lucas, Erik and Savannah Bradbury; a sister, Barbara Essensa of Hamilton; and many nieces and nephews including, Arleen Allen of Chelsea and Ronald Chinn of Cottonwood, Ariz.

She was also sister of the late George and Gerry Fowler, Pearl Donovan Fox, Hilda Allen, Gladys Chinn and Mae Ferron Lawlor.

Funeral services were private.