Gracie L. Murphy

Grace Louise “Gracie” Tucker Murphy, went home to be with her heavenly Father on April 7, 2023.

Born in Richland County, Ohio on October 9, 1933, she was the daughter of the Cyrus Franklin and Gladys Louise (Snyder) Tucker. After graduating from Shelby High School, Gracie continued her formal education at The Ohio State University where she received her Bachelor of Home Economics from the College of Agriculture. The day following graduation, she married the love of her life, Dr. John A. Murphy, on December 18, 1954.

Gracie was a homemaker, caring for her husband and raising her 3 precious daughters until they relocated to New Philadelphia in 1970. She was hired at Indian Valley North Junior High School as a home economics teacher before joining the high school staff 2 years later, ultimately retiring in 1990.

Gracie and John were devoted members of the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. There, they made beautiful music together in the church choir. Gracie also enjoyed singing with her fellow musicians in the Valley Voices. At church, she was very active with the United Methodist Women, the District Committee on Ministry and the Lenten lunches.

Additionally, Gracie was a Certified Body Recall instructor for numerous years assisting adults in retaining flexibility and strength. She was gifted in sewing, knitting and crocheting, teaching her three daughters these skills, also. Since 2000, she and John also spent many hours at their family farm outside of Newcomerstown enjoying God’s beauty.

Gracie will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her family including her husband of 68 years, John; her daughters, Lynne (David) Mileski of Tiffin, Laura (Gary) Shapiro of Matawan, NJ, and Lisa (John) Maggiore of Lenoir, NC; her grandchildren, Christopher and Joseph Mileski, Luke, Kurt, and Evan Shapiro, Liesl (Scott) Hemming, Aron (Sarah) Maggiore, Lauren Maggiore, and Ryan and Molly Owens; 3 great-grandchildren; her brother, Carlos F. Tucker; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gracie’s life with a modern wake at the Geib Funeral Center, 5600 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622, on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. A service celebrating her life will be held in the First United Methodist Church, 201 W. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663, on Saturday, April 15 beginning at 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will be held following the service at Hartwood Cemetery in Newcomerstown at 12:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Gracie’s memory may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.