Therese "Terry" Lorraine Murray

Therese Lorraine Murray, age 86, died after a short battle with Covid-19 on Monday, July 13th, at 2:00pm in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on April 23rd, 1934 and soon after adopted by Alfonse and Delvina Ricard in Nashua, New Hampshire. She is survived by her children: Gary (Patrice) Pinette, Tim (Betty) Ross, Michelle (John) Hare, Patty Ross and Cathy Viilo. Stepchildren Doug (Vicky) Murray, Phyllis (Tom) Cronley, Tom Murray, and Marty Dornbos. Grandchildren: Ariana Pinette, Jonah Pinette, Melanie Klomp, Meagan Ross, Jillian Taylor, Scott Liskey, Erin Miller, Joshua Reagan, Amber Hubbard, Brandon Ross, Zack Ross, Endrea Ross, Angel Ross, Doug Murray Jr., Jill Wiles, Steven Murray, Tim Van Aelst, Tammy Mortimer, Eddie Murray, John Gardenour and 30 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by Clarence Murry, her loving husband of 42 years, her parents, her brother Clovis Ricard, granddaughter Faye Crittenden, great grandson Odin Miller and son-in-law Lanny Viilo.

After living in Nashua into early adulthood she moved to Muskegon, Michigan where she lived until 1988. During her time in Michigan besides raising her family she worked as a waitress at the former Doo Drop Inn restaurant and later as an office clerk for the Muskegon County Health Department. She then moved to Fort Myers where she remained until her death. Terry struggled with alcoholism into her early 30’s and since then has been a recovering alcoholic of 53 years. She was a dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous and was a devoted sponsor throughout her recovery. Terry spoke at many AA conventions and gatherings where many people would hear how she battled her disease. During her speaking’s she used her sharp wit and stories to encourage and help many other recovering alcoholics get to or stay on the road to recovery.

Terry was also a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Muskegon she attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and later belonged to St. Ceilia’s Catholic Church in Fort Myers. She was active in many church functions including being a lector and Eucharistic minister. Terry had an infectious smile and warm heart and was loved by everyone she met. She had a wonderful sense of humor and would love to make people laugh. She was especially good at laughing at herself, which she did often much to the joy of those around her. She will be remembered as a person of grace, for her compassion towards others and her willingness to help people help themselves. Terry struggled with dementia during the last 6 years of her life but never forgetting those most dear to her or her faith in God. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her.