Mary Ruth (Hayden) Orpurt, 93, gently passed away on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 in the loving arms of her husband and with her children by her side.

She was born on July 13, 1922 to Francis Gross Hayden and Julia Agnes (nee McDonough) Hayden. As a child growing up in South Lee, Mass., Mary enjoyed swimming, skiing, skating, bike riding and hiking in the Berkshire Mountains. She graduated from Lee High School, Lee, Massachusetts in 1940 and took her nurse’s training at Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing in Boston.

In 1944, as a Registered Nurse at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in New Jersey, she met Philip Orpurt, who was working there on assignment for Civilian Public Service. They were married on Dec. 3, 1945, and in 2015 they celebrated 70 years of marriage. A homemaker for much of her adult life, Mary also worked as a nurse at several hospitals, as a substitute campus nurse and in the library at Manchester University. She also was a volunteer at Shepherd’s Center in North Manchester, their home town for more than 60 years.

Mary is survived by her husband: Philip A. Orpurt; and five children: Karen (Gary) Crim, Dayton, Ohio; Marcia (William) Young, Medina, Ohio; Steven (Laura Smith), Phoenix, Ariz.; Phyllis (Timothy) Peter, Prairie City, Iowa; Barbara (Paul) Dayton, Newburgh; grandchildren: Marjorie Young (Adam) Kennedy; Matthew (Courtney) Young; Peter Crim; Benjamin Crim; David Peter (fiancee Magen Strunk); Bonnie Orpurt; Aaron Peter; Jeffrey Dayton; Julia Dayton; Rachel Peter; Scott Dayton; Caleb Peter; and three great-grandchildren: Ivy Young; Kingston Kennedy; and Noah Young.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester. The family requests memorials be given to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester, Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, or Manchester University,North Manchester. McKee Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.