Beth Ann Murray

SHREWSBURY: Beth Anne Murray, 78, of Francis Gardens, Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov.16th. at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester.  She was born in Worcester, August 27,1948, the daughter of Jesse and Katherine (Durell) Murray and lived in Shrewsbury for most of her life. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in Worcester.  She leaves her brother Christopher and sister-in-law Kathie Lee Murray of Astoria, Oregon, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. During the challenging last year of life her support system included her good friends Deborah Tardy and Elizabeth Marold and cousin Stephen Durell and his caring family, including Petey the cat.

Beth was a site manager for the Shrewsbury Meals on Wheels program for 16 years before retiring in 2023.  Among her many State and Civic awards was the 2023 Commonwealth  Heroines Award recognizing her years of hard work and community involvement at the Shrewsbury Senior Center.  Beth loved volunteering. When a tornado devastated several small towns in Western Massachusetts, Beth drove from Shrewsbury to the meal staging site in Brimfield every day to deliver meals to families whose homes had been destroyed by the tornado.  She knew sign language which she put to good use when volunteering.  She was a lover of cats, evidenced by the many pictures, carvings and statues in her apartment. She was greatly saddened by the loss of her beloved cat, Jonathan.  One of her loves was working in her gardens. In July 2024 she was a recipient of the Iris Award from the Shrewsbury Garden Club for the beautiful gardens she and friends created at Francis Gardens apartments. She drove as far away as the Brookfields to buy flowers for her beloved gardens.

Remembrance donations can be made to: The Second Chance Animal Services, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515
J. Henri Morin & Son Funeral Home of Spencer is handling arrangements. There will be no calling hours.  Burial will be private at Pine Grove Cemetery in Spencer.