Barbara J (Rockino) Murdie

Barbara J. (Rockino) Murdie, passed away peacefully, Friday, November 11, 2022, at Chestnut House of Sitrin Healthcare.

Barbara was born August 21, 1934, in Utica, NY, to the late Samuel and Edna (Caviola) Rockino. She graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1952.

After briefly attending Utica College, Barbara furthered her education, later in life, and earned an Associate’s Degree, from MVCC, in the early 1990s.

On April 15, 1961, Barbara was joined in marriage to Jack A. Murdie, a union of fifty-six years. Barbara was employed by General Electric in the 1950s and 60s and was a Teacher’s Assistant at Hugh R. Jones School, in Utica, for over twenty years.

Barbara and Jack were past members of both the Skenandoa and Yahnundasis Golf Clubs, where they enjoyed socializing with many dear friends. She was a past member of The Christ Child Society; Gamma Chi; a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital; and Eucharistic Minister, for many years, at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Barbara is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lourdes and Tracy Heaton;  grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Jack, and Margaret Heaton; sister, Jean (Andy) Patalak;  brother-in-law, George Buccolo; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sally and Terrance Butterworth; nieces and nephews, Joseph Buccolo, Jocelynne Rawson, Kimberly Connors, Robert, Paul, Barbara, and Gerard Durr, Charles and Jacklyn Harrison, Michael and James Murdie, Karen Mary, and Mark and Joel Butterworth, and their respective families; and special great-nieces, Stefanie Buono and Julia Sirianni, and their families. Barbara also leaves lifelong friends, Dolores and Theresa DiSpirito, Yvonne (Doris) Hutchinson, and Betty Meehan.

In addition to her husband, Jack, Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Edna Rockino; her in-laws, Jack and Mildred Murdie; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Robert Durr; sister-in-law, Barbara Harrison; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul Murdie, and James and Jean Murdie; and nephews, Georgie Buccolo, Steven Murdie, and Matthew Murdie.

Her Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m., at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish (Lourdes Campus), in Utica, with interment to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica.

The family would like to offer their deep gratitude to the staff of Sitrin Healthcare Center’s Rehabilitation Unit and Chestnut House for the wonderful care shown to Barbara during her stay; and also to Nick Durr, for all of his assistance throughout the years.

Memorial contributions in Barbara’s memory may be made to Evelyn’s House for Young Mothers and Babies (now part of ICAN), 10 Barton Ave, Utica, NY 13502 or at ican.family/programs/evelyns-house/

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