Click here to subscribe today or Login.
DORRANCE TWP. — A retired psychologist who just turned 80 last week died in a house fire in the Mountain Top area on Thursday morning, authorities report.
Joyce Roberts Murray was found dead inside her residence at 704 South Mountain Boulevard, which is what Route 309 is called in this area.
Fire crews were dispatched to the blaze about 8:30 a.m.
Virginia Rinehimer, of Wright Township, was devastated by Murray’s death. She told Times Leader news partner Fox 56 that she first met Murray through a group of friends more than 20 years ago.
“She and I just clicked when we met,” Rinehimer recalled.
She says Murray was a retired clinical psychologist who once worked at the White Haven State Center.
“She was a very smart woman. She had terrific insight into people, into their personality, probably because of her training. She was a wonderful friend,” says Rinehimer.
State police said nothing suspicious was found at the scene, and the fire was determined to be accidental. The cause of the blaze is being investigated by the Fire Marshal Unit at the Hazleton barracks.
Rinehimer noted Murray lived alone in the old hunting lodge in a wooded area just off the highway.
“She loved living in the outdoors. She loved animals. She had I think three dogs and four cats. She had them in the house with her, took wonderful care of them, took them to the vet’s all the time,” said the longtime friend.
Investigators are asking to hear from the victim’s relatives or people who might know Murray’s family members. They can contact the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office at 570-825-1664.
Several fire companies responded to the blaze, including units from Dorrance Township, Dennison Township, Hazle Township and Wright Township.
