Perpetua Mary (Bruce) Murray, 73, of Fairhaven, formerly of New Bedford, died Saturday March 13, 2004 at the home of her daughter Anne Marie surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of the late Roderick F. Murray.
Born in Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, the daughter of the late Edward F. and Mary A. (Griffiths) Bruce, she moved to the New Bedford area as a young girl and spent most of her adult life living in New Bedford, before moving to Fairhaven several years ago.
Mrs. Murray was graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy in Fairhaven. She had been a communicant of Holy Name Church in New Bedford for more that 60 years.
She enjoyed spending time with her family. She lived a full and rich life as a devoted mother, wife, daughter, and sister. Her family will always treasure memories of Christmas at Aunt Petty's and the wonderful St. Patrick's Day dinners on Robeson Street.
She is survived by eight children, Edward F. Murray and his wife Jane of Fairhaven, Anne Marie Lawrence and her husband Phil of South Dartmouth, Jane Gordon and her husband Richard of Brockton, Roderick F. Murray and his wife Susan of South Dartmouth, Peter Murray and his wife Kimberly of Somerset, Mary Vieira and her husband Richard of Acushnet, Michael J. Murray and his wife Tracy, and John F. Murray and his wife Ann, all of Fairhaven; 14 grandchildren, Christopher, Elizabeth, Erin, Patrick, Michael, Lauren, Lily and Jack Murray, Jason and Matthew Silva, Kelly and Nicole Gordon, and Jake and Taryn Vieira; a great-grandson, Jason Scott Silva, Jr.; two sisters, Mary Catherine Saunders of New Bedford and Mary Elizabeth Trott of Fairhaven; three brothers, Edward F. Bruce, Jr., Dennis P. Bruce, and Herman R. Bruce, all of Dartmouth; and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Marie Celiene Toye.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday March 16, 2004 at 9 AM.Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday March 15, 2004 from 5-8 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA 02740.