Edith A. Murphy

having always proclaimed, “I’ve lived a Wonderful Life!”

In August of 1934, Edith was born in Dundee, Scotland to John and Lizzie (Tippit) Nicoll. It wasn’t long before three more sisters were added to the family: Marjorie, Rena, and Margaret. Soon after that, a little brother, Jack.

At 18, Tom Murphy came into Edith’s life ~ waiting two weeks at the bus stop, night after night, just to get on the same bus as her, as she rode home from work. That night he sat beside her, struck up a conversation, and ended up walking her to her front door, asking her at the last moment if she’d like to go to dinner with him the following night. She accepted, and in just a few months, they fell in love.

We’ve all heard the story of the two of them on the tram car and Tom asking her, “Do you want to go this way to the movies? Or that way to see the minister?”

They married in December of 1952, and within days headed off to India where Edith always declared, “I lived like a queen!” Their first daughter, Margaret, was born there, and after several years, they returned to Scotland where Gail was born.

In 1963, Tom asked Edith, “What do you want? To go to America? Or a new carpet for your stairs?” Off they went to the United States, ultimately settling down in their first home in Arlington, Massachusetts. During that time, Edith worked several jobs, but her true career was caring for Tom who became disabled in his late 40s.

Edith was the quintessential wife and Tom, the model husband. They were loyal, faithful partners, lovers and friends ~ whole-heartedly committed to one another and their family.

Truly, they lived the American Dream, always wanting the best for their children. One of their greatest desires came to pass when both of their daughters graduated from college with Bachelor’s degrees.

In 1989, Tom and Edith sold their home and moved to Plant City, Florida. With their working days behind them, “Golden Lakes” provided the perfect environment for an active retirement with many new friends. It was customary, during those days, to hear Edith shout “BINGO!” on many a night. She always had such great luck with the numbers.

In 2017, Edith, now a widow, moved to “The Fountains” in St. Petersburg, to be closer to Gail, Margaret and her partner, Donna and her grandchildren ~ Jordan, Joseph and his wife Natalie, and Grace and her husband Gabe. On any given afternoon, you could find Edie knitting socks, playing Rummy Cube, or enjoying dinner with her many new friends.

If you knew Edie, you’d know that above all else, she treasured her family. Her advice through the decades never changed. “Love is precious!” she’d say.

In the last months of her life, Edith continually recited those very words again and again to her children and grandchildren ~ imparting her wisdom as they gathered for holidays and birthdays. She also reminisced, on many occasions, of her love for those abroad who she kept near and dear to her heart: Her sisters, Marjorie, Rena and Margaret, and Tom’s sisters, May, Georgie and Florence, not to mention her many nieces, nephews, cousins ~ even old-time friends.

Edith Murphy will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. She remains a treasure in our hearts forever.