Claude Marie-Jose (Regnault) McMurtrie, a homemaker, substitute French teacher, and interpreter for the U.S. Army, died on Tuesday, August 16, 2005. She was 72 years old. Mrs. McMurtrie, a nonsmoker, died of lung cancer at the Chilton House hospice in Cambridge. A native of Metz, France, she was a Newton resident for 40 years. Mrs. McMurtrie was the youngest of five children raised in Nantes during World War II. She survived Nazi occupation, Allied air-raids and wartime malnutrition. She worked as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Fontainebleau and Saint-Nazaire, France, in the 1950’s. After the war, her sister, Francoise, married Robert McMurtrie, an American soldier from New Hampshire, and Claude later married Robert’s younger brother, Richard “Dick.” They lived in Madison, WI for several years before settling in Newton. She volunteered as a substitute French teacher and librarian in the Newton Public Schools. She lived for more than three years after her diagnosis of terminal cancer. Thirty years ago, she survived lymphoma. She confronted her illnesses with the grace, good humor and quiet strength that her family and friends cherished throughout her life.
The beloved wife of the late Richard L. McMurtrie, she was the mother of Alain McMurtrie of Newton, John McMurtrie of Oakland, CA and Caroline Barnes of Brookline, and mother-in-law of Fiona, Leah and Tom. Sister of Francoise McMurtrie of Michigan, Simone Moison and her husband Jean Moison, Charles Paul Regnault and his wife Marie Jo and the late Jacqueline Regnault, all of France. Sister in law of George McMurtrie of Las Vegas, NV, David McMurtrie and his wife Virginia of Bedford and the late Robert McMurtrie and Marguerite McMurtrie. Also survived by 5 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Eaton and Mackay Funeral home 465 Centre Street, NEWTON CORNER on Friday, August 19, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church, Newton Centre, at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hours on Thursday from 6-8 PM. Interment in Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claude’s name may be made to Chilton House, 65 Chilton St. Cambridge, MA 02138.