Ruth Gilbert Murphy

Ruth Gilbert Murphy, age 95, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones, on January 19, 2021.  Ruth was born September 19, 1925, in Arcadia, Duchesne County, Utah, to Ozza and Rose Miranda Gilbert.

Ruth was educated in Myton Elementary and Roosevelt High Schools in Duchesne County.  At the tender age of 16 she was privileged to travel to Chicago, Illinois to help care for Sister Muir, wife of the mission president.  She was graduated from Roosevelt High School, after which she attended and graduated from Utah State University.  She was married to William Edsel Murphy in the Salt Lake Temple on June 25, 1947.  The Murphy’s have five wonderful children, Norman Edsel Murphy (Barbara), Lynn J. Murphy (Margaret0), LeAnn Davis (Scott), Carol Osborne(Steve) and Paul Charles Murphy (Jennifer), who survive her. They have 25 Grandchildren and 54 Great-Grandchildren.

She lived such a full life having been a Kindergarten teacher at Centerville Elementary.  Ruth and Edsel enjoyed traveling, not only in the United States, but in a number of foreign countries.  Many times, when traveling, they encountered young men and women who recognized Ruth and would say, “Oh, I remember when you were my teacher in Kindergarten.”  The Murphy home was open to grandchildren and neighbor children for the making of gingerbread men, especially as Christmas time grew near.  Ruth was generous with relatives and friends, remembering them with special treats for their birthdays and special occasions.

Besides raising an outstanding family, Ruth served her Heavenly Father in various church positions including, Ward and Stake Relief Society President for many years.  For many years since her retirement from school, she has been a hostess at the Bee Hive House, has served faithfully in the Bountiful Temple and has spent many hours at the Church Museum.

Mr. Murphy had been afflicted with dementia in his later years and Ruth was a loving and devoted wife through those many months and years that he lived at the Orchard Cove Cate Center, trying to visit him each day and taking a little treat along with the daily newspaper for him to enjoy.  She took family photograph albums also and sat and talked with him as best she could about bygone days and people whom they have known and loved.

Ruth is survived by her Brother, Howard (Betty) Gilbert and Sister Ellen (Jack) Goodrich.  She is preceded in death by her Brothers’; Glen (Lula) Gilbert, Garn (Barbara) Gilbert, Larry Gilbert, LeGrand (Nancy) Gilbert & Bryant (Lois) Gilbert.

A viewing will be held Friday January 29^th from 6-8 at Russon Mortuary Bountiful.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30^th at the Mueller Park 1^st Ward, 1825 South 800 East, Bountiful.   Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery. Services will be live streamed on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page.

The family extends their love and thanks to so many who have been kind and thoughtful at this time.