Ollie Ruth (Murray) Canery, 83, of New Bedford passed away Wednesday June 11, 2025. She was born November 2, 1941 in Nichols, South Carolina, the beloved daughter of Olivet and Calvin Murray and the older sister of Gloria Jean Fullard, Lavern Murray, and Clinton Murray, all of who preceded her in their passing.

She is survived by her four children, her daughters Marie (Canery) Diaw and Belinda Bulgar and her sons Mark Canery (wife Veronica Lundin) and Michael Canery. She was a devoted grandmother to Izabella Taya Loto, Marcel Canery (wife Stephanie Canery), Leandra Alexander, Marquez Canery, Maliquis Canery, Amari Diaw, Maya Canery, Mathais Canery, Marius Canery and Marcus Canery, and great grandmother to Mia Canery, Kendrick Canery and Cade Canery. She maintained a lifelong friendship with her former sisters-in-law, Estella Fain, Effie Rattley and Anna Blake. She had a large community of nephews, nieces, extended family and close friends all of whom she loved dearly.

Ruthy worked as a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, MA for thirty years, upholding a high standard of care for each patient she looked after. She was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and an active member of Order of the Eastern Star. Ruthy was an avid bowler and a gifted singer who sang in her church's choir. She was also a member of the singing group The Gospellettes. She was quick-witted, with a clever, unique and contagious sense of humor that will be terribly missed. She loved watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud and rarely missed an episode. She loved traveling the world, playing dominoes and listening to Ray Charles. She loved watching her Westerns and cheating at UNO (expertly, might I add). She loved Hot Tamales, Piña Coladas and the color yellow. Most of all Ruthy loved life and encouraged those around her to do the same, even when life felt especially hard to love. It is this love that will sustain all who so dearly loved her and help guide us through our arduous grief. Her love for life is her final gift to us and we can honor her by doing the same. The world will never have another Ollie-Ruth and we are eternally grateful for the time we got to spend in her good company.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.