Bruce Donaldson Randolph Murray

Our community and several others have lost a determined woman and a dedicated community leader. Bruce Murray passed away on Thursday, July 3rd at age 78 following complications associated with liver cancer. Bruce was a wife, mother, businesswoman, philanthropist, trusted advisor, and a friend to everyone she met.

 Born in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1947; Bruce is survived by her husband, James B. Murray, Jr.; her sister Carroll R. Barr, her daughter Meghan Randolph Murray; her son J. Brady Murray, III; her grandchildren Orro Bowers, Cenica Bowers, Aya Murray, and Mikko Murray; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family. Bruce was the daughter of Allen K. Randolph and Lelia Graham Hobson Randolph [Bovard]. She lived most of her life at Greenmont Farm, her family’s home for five generations, near Keene, Virginia.

Bruce met her future husband when she was 14 years old and she and Jim were soon inseparable. They were married when Bruce was 20 and the two remained devoted to each other through 57 years of marriage.

Bruce was a stand-out athlete in high school and college. In college she was honored as a first team selection for the Washington D.C. All Metropolitan women’s field hockey team. She continued to play tennis and golf until six weeks before she passed away.

She started working at age 16, following the premature death of her father. After graduation from St. Anne’s School and Marjorie Webster Junior College, Bruce began her career working for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. She moved on to become the Executive Assistant to the director of Medical Education at the Washington (DC) Hospital Center; then the Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Williamsburg (VA) Community Hospital – all before she reached the age of 30. After eight years devoted to raising Meghan and Brady, she went back to work managing commercial real estate investments. She was still managing business property at the time she passed away.

Beyond her deep commitment to family, Bruce devoted much of her life to the service of others. She and Jim were the recipients of the National MS Society’s Silver Hope award honoring their “extraordinary contributions to the local community.” Bruce also received the St. Anne’s-Belfield School (STAB) Distinguished Alumni Award; and later, the STAB Centennial Alumna Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Early in her career Bruce served as a volunteer and board member at Williamsburg’s Drug Action Center. She went on to serve several terms on the board at STAB; and was twice elected chair of that board. She served on the Martha Jefferson Hospital (MJH) board; and she and Jim co-chaired the MJH capital campaign, a group effort that raised over $50M for the construction of the new hospital at Pantops. Bruce was one of the earliest board members at the Charlottesville Free Clinic where she was also chair. In addition, she was a founding board member of the Virginia Healthcare Foundation; a founding member of Charlottesville’s PACE board; a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Virginia Executive Mansion board; and she served on the board of Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

Bruce was an early member of the board at the Charlottesville Women’s Initiative; and on the board of the Murray 1693 Scholars Foundation at the College of William & Mary. She served on the President’s Council of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia, and together with five other women, Bruce helped found and initially fund the James River Boys & Girls Club in Scottsville, VA. Until her death, she continued to volunteer as a caregiver for patients of Heartland Hospice in Northern Michigan. 

Bruce also supported her neighbors as a founding member of the Mustique Charitable Foundation, where she was a member of its Glenconner Society; and served on the Board of Directors for the Mustique Company Inc. In addition, Bruce set a precedent as the first ever woman President of the Board of Governors in the nearly 100-year history of Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort MI.

Bruce greatest avocations were sports and politics. In the political arena she worked on campaigns, volunteered at the polls, fundraised, and could be a fervent supporter of political candidates, especially those that promoted equality for women. Bruce detested any political bully. She supported candidates and causes embodying character and dignity, and she passionately opposed any politician who fomented division, particularly by demeaning the less powerful. In the athletic arena Bruce loved everything UVA, all women’s sports, and especially UVA men’s and women’s basketball. Two months before she passed away, Bruce hosted a women’s reception for UVA basketball coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

From early childhood Bruce was renowned for her candor and plain-spoken embrace of everyone she met. When she had a strong opinion, she would defend it ardently - even vociferously if necessary. Her insight and willingness to always speak the truth made her a valued board member and a trusted friend. Whether she was thanking a young clerk at the country store or was addressing the British Prime Minister at a White House state dinner, Bruce treated everyone with the same simple warmth and good humor. From her youth as an athlete, through cheering her own children to “play hard”, and through years as a volunteer advocate for the less fortunate, Bruce was a passionate force to be reckoned with. She will be missed.

Her family is grateful for the wonderful care Bruce received at the University of Virginia Hospital and from the staff and volunteers at the Hospice of the Piedmont. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Bruce Murray to the James River Boys and Girls Club https://bgclubcva.org/donate/ .

A graveside service, followed by a celebration of Bruce’s life, will be held on Friday, July 11th, 10AM at the family’s home. Family and friends will be welcome.

Thacker Brothers Scottsville Funeral Home is handing the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce Donaldson Randolph Murray, please visit our floral store.