Lida Marguerita Murphy, 85. It is with great sadness that "Reta's" family announce her peaceful passing into the hands of God at Dartmouth General Hospital on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Born in Hamilton, Ontario on July 20, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Morley and Lottie (Smith) Ripley. When Reta was eight years old, Nappan, Nova Scotia became home where both her parents had family roots. After receiving her grade 12 in Amherst, Reta graduated from Normal College in Truro with her teaching credentials. Reta taught in Amherst Point, Rodney, Sweet's Corner, Hammonds Plains, Amherst and Warner, Alberta. After marriage, she moved to Jeddore, where she taught, and then to Dartmouth which she called home for 55 years. She taught in Rockingham and after her children were older, substitute taught in Dartmouth and Halifax County. Reta enjoyed teaching and had a genuine interest in her students and followed their lives over the years. The joy of Reta's life was being a wife and mother, and later a grandmother. Over the years our family included many pets which were also special to Reta. She was a gentle woman of love, kindness and caring, who readily gave of herself. There was always time for a hot cup of tea. She enjoyed trying new recipes, needlework and taking pictures of family and events. Mom taught us the value of family and cherished occasions when family came together for dinner and special celebrations. Many wonderful memories were made at the cottage and the farm. Reta had a keen interest in tracing family history and could recall our family lineage for 19 generations. She also had an avid interest in reading, especially for Maritime history and authors, and enjoyed collecting their works. Reta will be greatly missed by her husband of 57 years, Burpee; daughters Coral (David) Harris, Nappan and Elsa (Charlie) Connolly, Brampton; sons Dwayne (Judi) and George (Cheryl) both of Dartmouth. Spending time with her grandchildren was dear to her and she will be deeply missed by Jessica, Stephen, William, Sarah, Kathryn and Cody. She is also survived by sister Joyce Brown, Nappan and brothers Leonard Ripley, Ottawa, and Alwin (Ruth) Ripley, Nappan. She was predeceased by an infant brother Garland, two sister-in-laws Elsie Ripley and Hazel Ripley and brother-in-law Nelson Brown. The family would like to thank the staff of 3 East of Dartmouth General Hospital, especially Dr. M. MacLellan, Maribeth Allen and Wendy Quilty, for the special care Reta received and the support given to the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home, 68 Church St, Amherst, NS (902-667-8777) where visitation was held on Wednesday, October 22, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Funeral will be held Thursday, October 23rd at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, Rev. Victor MacLeod officiating. Reception to follow. If you so wish, please consider donations in memory of Reta to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Palliative Care Unit of the Dartmouth General Hospital or the M & L Ripley Caretakers Fund of the Nappan United Church. www.furlongjones.ca