Alice Ruth Murphy

Alice Ruth (Bigelow) Murphy, age 90, of Livingston, passed away peacefully, Friday, November 1, 2013 at her home in Paradise Valley. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, November 6, 11:30 am, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Livingston. Vigil Prayer Service held Tuesday, November 5, at St. Mary's 6 pm. Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Alice was born on July 17, 1923, in Absarokee, Montana. She was the daughter of Daniel and Laura (Gustad) Bigelow. Alice was baptized as an infant, and later confirmed in the Catholic faith as a youth. She received her education attending Park High for three years and then one year at Gardiner High, graduating with the class of 1942 as salutatorian from Gardiner High School. Alice and her family moved from Absarokee in 1932, they made their home at the Tom Miner Basin on the "B-Ranch". Following graduation Alice worked jobs around Livingston before taking a position at Yellowstone National Park as a stenographer in the Chief Ranger's office. This is where she met the love of her life, Bob. On October 29, 1945, Alice Ruth Bigelow was united in marriage to Robert James "Bob" Murphy, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Livingston by Father Sheehy. Following their marriage they lived at various ranger districts as Bob was employed by the National Park Service. They resided at national parks in six different states including four years in Washington D. C. Alice worked in personnel at several parks and in Washington D.C. Following Bob's retirement in 1977 Alice and Bob made their home in Paradise Valley, south of Livingston. They shared 66 years of marriage. Alice will be remembered as a truly lovely woman who was kind and had a sharp wit. She loved horses and Bob had even said that he married her just because she could saddle her own horse. She and Bob loved their pets and were immensely proud of their fox trotter horses. They had spent many a day on horseback trips into the wilderness near their home and in Yellowstone Park. Alice and Bob did everything together. Alice missed Bob immensely following his death in 2008. Blessed they are in their reunion. Alice is survived by: Many nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear and caring friends. Alice is preceded in death by her Parents, Dan and Laura Bigelow, Husband and Best Friend Bob Murphy, Sisters, Phyllis Bigelow and Doris Story, Sister-in-law, Madonna France. The family invites everyone to the luncheon at the St. Mary's Catholic School Gymnasium immediately following the committal service. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Catholic School, P.O. Box 646, Livingston, MT 59047. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.