As she turns 100, Hamilton resident lives a life that would exhaust many others

Eunice Murphy, a resident of Bradford Place in Hamilton, will be turning 100 on Saturday. But don’t let the age fool you, her daily schedule would tire out those many years younger.

Murphy was born near Oxford and was married to her husband Virgil Murphy for 52 years before he passed away, and she also attended the McGuffey School, graduating in 1936.

She said she always believed in education, so she attended one year of business college and is a member of the Rebekah Lodge.

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Redina Smith, the activities director at Bradford Place, said for the past 18 years Murphy has been just like family to the people who live and work there. She can also attest to the fact that it can be hard to pin down the soon-to-be-100-year-old resident.

“She is really just like a family member to all of us and we’ve known her now for probably 18 years now,” Smith said. “She gives us hugs and tells us she loves us. She just keeps a busy schedule and keeps rolling along.”

Kathie Bowling is an activities assistant at the facility and said Murphy has kept up an amazing energy level.

“She keeps us going and is really enjoyable to be around and she looks so much younger than she is, and acts younger too,” Bowling said.

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Murphy reflected on the things she used to enjoy years ago and compared it to the modern age.

“We used to go on picnics and things like that which were good things to do,” she recounted. “Now, I see microwaves and things like that, totally different.”

Bowling and Smith drew a huge laugh from Murphy when they mentioned one modern item that she is infatuated with.

“What about the remote control?” Smith asked, drawing a huge laugh from Murphy.

“Yes, yes I do like that,” she said.

Murphy helped color hundreds of Easter eggs for an upcoming hunt and said she enjoys activities like that along with reading John Grisham novels and other mysteries.

“I also like Mary Higgins Clark and reading the bible,” she added.

One thing that is going to put a dent into her active lifestyle is the fact that she gave up her driver’s license this week.

“That’s going to take away a lot of my independence,” she said. “I also sold my car this week.”

Smith said that Murphy will be able to get around still and the staff is looking forward to seeing her continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

“We really do love her and she means so much to us here,” Smith said.

Murphy says she feels fortunate to have “a nice place with family like Bradford,” and will continue to enjoy life.

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