GLOUCESTER: Ann (Connor) Murray, 78, of 93 Wheeler Street died Thursday evening, July 8, 2010, at her home with her family by her side. She was the wife of Richard L. Murray.
A lifelong resident of Gloucester, she moved once to Flagstaff, AZ, very briefly, only to realize that her heart was in Gloucester and needed to be, as she would say, “Where I can walk to the edge of the earth and put my feet in the water.”
Ann was born in Gloucester on May 28, 1932 to the late Esther (Olsen) Connor. She attended Gloucester schools and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1950. As a young woman, she was part of an adagio team with Gardner Perry and appeared with Gardner in many dance shows and even at the age of 60 could still walk on her hands. After graduation she married her sweetheart, with whom she recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2010.
Ann was employed for many years at Addison Gilbert Hospital in the maternity ward and in 1972 she decided to go back to school earn her nursing degree. She graduated as one of the top students in her class at Essex Agricultural Institute with an LPN degree and went on to work in nursing at Addison Gilbert Hospital.
Ann was known for her ability to make you feel welcome, shooting from the hip, telling it like it is and we cannot forget her Christmas stockings. You knew she liked you if you were honored with one of her beautiful homemade knitted Christmas stockings and they were beautiful! New babies and new family members were the first to receive her, made from the heart, stocking.
She was a lifelong member of Trinity Congregational Church, where she had previously taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She was also a weekly volunteer in the Trinity’s Cape Ann Thrift Shop for many, many years until her poor health became an obstacle. She missed going to the shop to be with the girls.
She was a prior member and past president of the Women’s Professional Business Club and had been faithfully involved in the planning of the Gloucester High School “Class of 1950” reunions over the years. She also had volunteered at the Addison Gilbert Hospital Gift Shop.
Ann and Dick loved to take extended vacations in their motor home, leaving for weeks at a time traveling across the country, while stopping to visit friends and family along the way.
She loved her family, friends, the Red Sox, the ocean, ice cream and her three cat grandchildren, who brightened her days with their love.
In addition to her husband, Ann is survived by her two daughters, Donna L. Murray and Karen L. Murray both of Gloucester; a sister, Helen Montoya and her husband Paul of Flagstaff, AZ; her grandchildren, Senior Master Sergeant Shane Murray of the United States Air Force and his wife Lori of Yigo, Guam, Jackie Noseworthy of Boston and Joshua Noseworthy and his wife Jennifer (Bonina) of Nottingham, NH, who are expecting Ann’s fourth great-grandchild in September. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Derick Murray, Madison Murray and Makenna Murray all of Yigo, Guam, a special family friend Susan Bennett, who Ann referred to as her adopted daughter; her lifelong friend, Carol Ann Maciel and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her son, Rich Murray, in 2005 and her brother, Raymond Connor.
Abiding by Ann’s wishes there will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Congregational Church at date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to one of Ann’s favorite charities, Cape Ann Animal Aid Assoc., 260 Main St. Gloucester, MA 01930 or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, Utah 84741-5000.