Dear Friends and Family,
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Ruth Theresa Jardine Murray; born August 13, 1930 – died December 24, 2012.
In her own words, “I guess it’s been a good life”; and with her usual wit, added, “I never wanted to live to be 100, but 99 would have been nice.” Well, she didn’t make it to 99; yet the 82 years she accumulated were full and complete. She gave love and she received love. She experienced physical and emotional pain that caused her to shed a few tears. She experienced great joy and fun that brought tears of laughter. Mom said, “I didn’t do everything I wanted to do, but everything I did do I thoroughly enjoyed.” I hope we all can say the same when it is our time to leave this life.
Mom took pleasure in a great many things. What she enjoyed she shared. If she heard a good joke, or even a not so good joke, she told it. If she knew where there was a bargain to be had, she let you know about it. If Mom tasted something delicious she would insist you have a morsel. That’s who she was even until the end.
In a final act of sharing, our Mom decided to donate her body to SUNY Downstate Anatomical Program. She said, “It is all I have left to give” and she hoped it would promote medical advances. She hoped that her donation would contribute to finding a cure for cancer or better prepare future physicians and health professionals to care for patients.
As Allen said, this is “non-traditional.” Our mother was “non-traditional.” She was different and we her children benefited from that fact. It gave each of us the room to be different; the room to breathe, the room to be perfectly imperfect people. We will miss her greatly; we will love her always, we will cry some and we will laugh some. We will feel it all; do it all; and enjoy it all thoroughly; just as “Mom, Inc.” taught us to do.
Now we are grieving, but soon we will be celebrating her life. It is our intention to have a gathering to honor and celebrate her life with us. For now, please take a moment to think fondly of Ruth and to pray for her and our entire family. She will feel it and so will we.
Thank you for your love and support.
Peace,
Richard
Allen
Adrienne (Tree)
(As always, we are the small subsidiaries of Mom, Inc.)
atreegrowsinbklyn 
My thoughts and sympathy are with you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts are with you. Your mother certainly passed down her good humor.
You are in my prayers and thoughts. I am so sorry for your loss. Mom seemed to be a wonderful role model. How wonderful it must have been to have her in your life!
My deepest sympathies are with you!
So sorry for your loss. Peace.
Have not been here for a while, and yet today I happened to stop by and read the poignant tribute to your beloved mom. From how you describe her, I am sure she would have approved of this post. Thank you for sharing.
She sounds like she was a wonderful person. Am sure you will never forget her. Blessings to you – and may you know strength and peace in these tough days and in the days ahead! You are in my thoughts and prayers, Chris
Change is always so difficult BUT I am sure that this transition is a good one for your mother (not so much for you). I send you condolences, love and support. I know that you are strong enough to handle this.
When you were absent from our blogosphere for so long, I figured the news was not good. And yet in its own idiosyncratic way, it is good news. Your mother lived a triumphant life! She lived it for herself and for her children, for her family and for her world, right to the end and beyond. She was a non-traditional woman, before that was the style, or even really acceptable. She raised non-traditional children, individuals, strong, vibrant. May we all accomplish as much!
My heart is with you and your family, Tree. And there’s another star in the heavens, a star named Ruth, that all of us can call upon. God be with you all —
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