Ruth Joyce Murray, 82, of Bethel, widow of Robert E. Murray, died August 24, after a brief illness. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she lived in Weston for 33 years.

Her greatest joy was her family. Her sons and spouses Robert and Suzanne of Newtown, Kevin and Jennifer of Cheshire, Christopher and Liliana of Northborough, Mass., Keith and Lisa of Wallingford; daughter-in-law Allyson, and her husband Daniel Alloway, of Bethel; and nine grandchildren, Erin, and her husband Evan Quinlan, Michael, Owen, Mia, Robert, Gavin, Sparrow, Sophia, and Caroline survive Mrs Murray. Her husband and her son, Craig, predeceased her.

She was involved in town organizations such as the PTA, United Fund, and Women’s Club, and was an active member of the St Francis of Assisi parish in Weston.

A lifelong lover of music, Mrs Murray was a gifted pianist with the ability to sight-read anything. Her true passion was jazz piano. She cultivated an encyclopedic knowledge of the genre and possessed an impressive recorded collection of her favorites, which included Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Bill Charlap, and Keith Jarrett. To observe her listening to this music was to see someone truly transported by its beauty.

Mrs Murray spent much of her later years auditing classes ranging from history to music to religion at Fairfield University.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown, Saturday, September 6, at 11 am. A private interment will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06824-5195.

The Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, handled arrangements.