Obituary: Jacqueline “Jacquie” Murphy

Maine Community Leader Jacqueline “Jacquie” Murphy Dies at 82

Gorham, Maine – Jacqueline “Jacquie” Murphy, a longtime civic activist, career counselor, and beloved matriarch, died in early September after a long life devoted to helping others find purpose and community. She was 82.

Murphy was born on February 18, 1944, in Levittown, Long Island, to Marguerite “Peggy” and Harold Ruthazer. The eldest of four children—her brothers Louis and Robert and sister Ellen—she grew up in a close‑knit family that prized adventure and creativity. “Jacquie was the princess of the family,” a family friend recalled, describing a girl who climbed trees, explored forests, and even greased park slides to speed her ride.

She attended the newly established General Douglas MacArthur High School, graduating in 1963 as part of its first class. While at school, Murphy joined the senior choir, the Leaders’ Club, and the Sigma Gamma Sigma sorority, honing a reputation for leadership and social grace.

A lifelong swimmer, Murphy helped found the Levittown Swimming Association and competed in senior Olympic events. Despite a secret fear of heights, she became a champion diver, an achievement she later described as a testament to her daring spirit. Her colorful wardrobe and whimsical accessories earned her a reputation for eccentricity, even among those who knew her best.

Murphy married and had four children: James “Jimmy,” born in Newport News, Virginia; Barbara “Barb” and John “Johnny,” born in New Brunswick, New Jersey; and Jean, born in Maine after the family settled in the state. She raised her children with a blend of warmth and independence, encouraging them to pursue their passions.

In Maine, Murphy established a career counseling practice called Women’s Worth, offering guidance to women seeking fulfillment in their professional lives. “She could talk for hours about the afterlife, but she also spoke presciently about current events and social issues,” said a former client. Her work extended beyond her business; she served on the Gorham school board and town council, and later organized social clubs and coalitions for residents of her care facility, always with the aim of improving quality of life.

Murphy’s family—her children, grandchildren Isabella, Jimmy, Jordan, and Logan, great‑grandchild Michael James, and surviving siblings Bob and Louis—describe her as a card shark, a matriarch, and a maverick in technicolor dress. “She was the woman to confide in about anything,” one relative said. “Her endless idiosyncrasies will be dearly missed.”

The family will hold a Celebration of Life Service on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m., at The Woodlands (39 Woods Rd.) in Falmouth. Family and friends are invited to honor her legacy; RSVPs can be sent to Jean Murphy at 207‑450‑6708. A tribute page and online guestbook are available at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.

Jacqueline “Jacquie” Murphy is survived by her four children, her siblings, her grandchildren, and her great‑grandchild; she was predeceased by her sister Ellen and parents Peggy and Harold. She is remembered for her fierce independence, boundless generosity, and the indelible mark she left on the communities she served.