Barbara Murch

Mystic — Barbara (Hager) Murch, 83, of Mystic, wife of the late Richard E. Murch died Tuesday, Nov., 27, 2018.

Born in Danbury, she is the daughter to the late Lester and Jean (Ferguson) Hager and lived in Mystic since 1959. She was a graduate from Danbury High School class of 1952 with high honors. Following high school, she continued her education, earning three Associate degrees and a B.S. from Mitchell College, Mohegan Community College and Eastern Connecticut State College.

Barbara was a teacher’s aide in Old Mystic for several years, eventually teaching eighthgrade math at the Wheeler Middle School in North Stonington. Following her teaching career, Barbara was the tax collector for the Town of Stonington at the Mystic Fire Department up until her retirement in 2009 and attended the Mystic Congregational Church.

Her family will remember her as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and eldest sister. She was the family’s rock, always there for her family, no matter what.

She is survived by her two sons, William R. Murch and his wife, Paula, of Mystic and Thomas Murch and his wife, Karen, of New London; three grandchildren, Wesley, Patrick and Ivy; two brothers, Arthur Bessel and Clifford Hager and two sisters, Sally and Larilee Bessell. She was predeceased by a son, James A. Murch.

Barbara’s family would like to thank CareCo Medical in Waterford and Utopia Home Care in New London for the care and comfort given to Barbara during her recent illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1. Funeral services and burial will be held privately at the Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.