Obituary for Mary Murray
Mary Murray
1938 – 2021
At her home on Tuesday, May 25, Mary passed peacefully from the loving embrace of her family into the arms of her Heavenly Father. Beloved wife of Alex Murray for 60 precious years. Deeply loved Mom of Mark (Aileen), John (Dawn) and Mona (Tony). In ‘Mimi’s World’, the sun rose and set on her greatest joys in life - Aria, Lauren, Emily, Sophie, Sean and Holly. Mary will be dearly missed by her sister Margie (Tim) Miller and many extended family members. She is predeceased by her parents Jacek (DFC) and Danuta Piotrowski.
Mary’s passion for quality in life and living was evident from childhood. Along with her parents, Mary survived the horrors of World War II, fleeing Poland to England and settling, finally, in the Hamilton region. Mary embraced both the hardships and blessings of life in Canada. She was a resilient, intelligent and motivated young woman. Mary graduated from the nursing program at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton in 1959. Over the next several years, as Mary and Alex raised their young family, Mary applied her strong skills and keen medical understanding, as a nurse in both Canada and the United States. After returning to Canada, Mary went back to school, obtaining her BA in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1988.
Soon after settling in the Waterloo region, Mary applied her skill base and broad professional knowledge to quality of life and palliative care in hospital, home and hospice settings. She provided strong and effective leadership with the Waterloo-Wellington Palliative Care and CCAC programs. Mary was honoured to sit on the Board of Directors at Lisaard House and valued her hours spent volunteering in KW Hospice programs.
Mary loved life and viewed it as a grand adventure! She communicated this through the sincere care and interest she showed to all those with whom she crossed paths. Mary listened with her whole heart, and her gentle hand caresses communicated her genuine care for everyone she met. Very often, she bore others’ burdens through faithful prayer. Mary’s interests were many. Tennis was the sport she loved. She was also an avid reader and book club member, she enjoyed time at the cabin, old movies, crossword puzzles, butter tarts and fudge. She was passionate about a select few, namely, her three joys – Mark, John and Mona – her children whom she adored and her six wonderful grandchildren…her greatest earthly blessings. Mary lived her life with grace and gratitude.
Our family is full of thanks to Mary’s dear friends for the many acts of love and practical care that have been lavished on her in these months. A special, heartful thanks to Dr. Donna Ward and Dr. Janet MacEachern for their personal, professional care, above and beyond the call of duty.
A memorial Mass will be held for Mary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St. W., Waterloo, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to attend must RSVP your attendance through the funeral home website or by calling 519-749-8467. All are welcome to join Mary's Family for her Mass via livestream at https://www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming beginning at 10:45 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Ray of Hope or Grand River Hospital Foundation – Cancer Centre would be appreciated. Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Mary’s memorial.
“‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
(Amazing Grace, John Newton)
1938 – 2021
At her home on Tuesday, May 25, Mary passed peacefully from the loving embrace of her family into the arms of her Heavenly Father. Beloved wife of Alex Murray for 60 precious years. Deeply loved Mom of Mark (Aileen), John (Dawn) and Mona (Tony). In ‘Mimi’s World’, the sun rose and set on her greatest joys in life - Aria, Lauren, Emily, Sophie, Sean and Holly. Mary will be dearly missed by her sister Margie (Tim) Miller and many extended family members. She is predeceased by her parents Jacek (DFC) and Danuta Piotrowski.
Mary’s passion for quality in life and living was evident from childhood. Along with her parents, Mary survived the horrors of World War II, fleeing Poland to England and settling, finally, in the Hamilton region. Mary embraced both the hardships and blessings of life in Canada. She was a resilient, intelligent and motivated young woman. Mary graduated from the nursing program at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton in 1959. Over the next several years, as Mary and Alex raised their young family, Mary applied her strong skills and keen medical understanding, as a nurse in both Canada and the United States. After returning to Canada, Mary went back to school, obtaining her BA in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1988.
Soon after settling in the Waterloo region, Mary applied her skill base and broad professional knowledge to quality of life and palliative care in hospital, home and hospice settings. She provided strong and effective leadership with the Waterloo-Wellington Palliative Care and CCAC programs. Mary was honoured to sit on the Board of Directors at Lisaard House and valued her hours spent volunteering in KW Hospice programs.
Mary loved life and viewed it as a grand adventure! She communicated this through the sincere care and interest she showed to all those with whom she crossed paths. Mary listened with her whole heart, and her gentle hand caresses communicated her genuine care for everyone she met. Very often, she bore others’ burdens through faithful prayer. Mary’s interests were many. Tennis was the sport she loved. She was also an avid reader and book club member, she enjoyed time at the cabin, old movies, crossword puzzles, butter tarts and fudge. She was passionate about a select few, namely, her three joys – Mark, John and Mona – her children whom she adored and her six wonderful grandchildren…her greatest earthly blessings. Mary lived her life with grace and gratitude.
Our family is full of thanks to Mary’s dear friends for the many acts of love and practical care that have been lavished on her in these months. A special, heartful thanks to Dr. Donna Ward and Dr. Janet MacEachern for their personal, professional care, above and beyond the call of duty.
A memorial Mass will be held for Mary at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St. W., Waterloo, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to attend must RSVP your attendance through the funeral home website or by calling 519-749-8467. All are welcome to join Mary's Family for her Mass via livestream at https://www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming beginning at 10:45 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Ray of Hope or Grand River Hospital Foundation – Cancer Centre would be appreciated. Visit www.henrywalser.com
And grace will lead me home.”
(Amazing Grace, John Newton)