Jacqueline Murphy

Jacqueline (“Jacquie”) Murphy was born February 18, 1944, to Marguerite (“Peggy”) and Harold Ruthazer in Levittown, Long Island (NY). She was the eldest of 4 children, preceding her siblings Louis, Robert, and Ellen.

Jacquie enjoyed an adventurous childhood in Levittown, climbing trees, exploring the forest, hunting frogs, and routine mischief-making. She was fearless, known for greasing the slides at the public park with wax paper to make for a swifter ride. Jacquie was the "princess” of the family. While Peggy made each of her children’s outfits by hand, she was said to adorn Jacquie’s with the most pomp and tender care.

She was among the first graduating classes of General Douglas MacArthur High School in 1963. It was there, as a member of the Senior Choir, Leaders’ Club, and Sigma Gamma Sigma sorority, where she cultivated her reputation as a leader, organizer, and social butterfly.

A founding member of the Levittown Swimming Association, Jacquie was an elite swimmer for the majority of her life, even competing in the Senior Olympics. While she harbored a secret fear of heights, her intrepid spirit allowed her to go on to become a champion diver in spite of her unease. She never stopped making a splash, in every sense of the word. Jacquie was deliciously eccentric: her wardrobe featured many bright colors and whimsical accessories. You remembered meeting Jacquie.

She eventually married and gave birth to her first son, James (“Jimmy”), in Newport News, Virginia. The young family then moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Barbara (“Barb”) and John (“Johnny”) were born. After a decade in New Jersey, Jacquie found a permanent home in Maine, where her youngest child, Jean, was born.

She was deeply cerebral and could speak at length on all things spiritual. Have a question about the afterlife? She was the woman to confide in. But just when you thought her head was permanently in the clouds, she would leave the ethereal realm behind for a chance to speak presciently on current events and the most relevant social issues of the day. She thrived in her role as a career counselor, starting her own business, Women's Worth, to help women find purpose and fulfillment at work.

Jacquie remained civic-minded until her final days. In Gorham, Maine she was a member of the school board and town council. And later, she organized countless social clubs and coalitions aimed at improving quality of life for the residents of her care facility.

Jacquie’s family, many of whom refer to her as “Nana,” will miss her and her endless idiosyncrasies. To them, she was a card shark, a matriarch, a maverick in a technicolor dress. May she rest in peace.

She is survived by her children Jim, Barb, John, and Jean, her brothers Bob and Louis, her grandchildren Isabella, Jimmy, Jordan, and Logan, her great grandchild Michael James. She is predeceased by her sister Ellen and parents Peggy & Harold.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, September 27. 2026 at 11 AM, at The Woodlands, 39 Woods Road Falmouth, ME

Please RSVP to Jean Murphy 207-450-6708