Obituary of Edith Ruth Murray

Mrs. Edith Ruth Bowen Murray, age 94, died peacefully at her home in Mayfield, NY on Sunday, May 22, 2011, with her family at her side. She was born June 24, 1916 in Denver, CO, the daughter of the late Harry Bowen and Jenny Rafferty Bowen. Her father died when Edith was only two years old. Educated in Hudson Falls, NY; she was later married to the Rev. Clarence C. Murray on August 20, 1934. As a pastor's wife she was a partner in his ministry and played the organ and piano at many of the Wesleyan churches they served, including Chittenden, VT; Hague, NY; Schenectady, NY and Willow, NY. She also was a bus-driver for the Onteora School District and operated a Rest-Home in Ulster County. She enjoyed the annual Wesleyan camp meeting in West Chazy, NY. Affectionately know as "Cooper" she was an avid hunter and fisherman. Edith was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Clarence C. Murray who died January 28, 1982. She is survived by: three children, Carolyn J. Illsley of Mayfield, Lawrence E. Murray Indra of Louisville, KY and Sharon L. Wilber of Woodstock, NY; a brother, Gordon A. Hayes of Kingsbury and a sister, Marjorie A. Stanton of Schenectady. She had 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also predeceased by two daughters, Catherine M. Ostrander and Mary Jane Murray and eight brothers and sisters. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the Ridge Road Wesleyan Church, 543 Ridge Rd; Queensbury, NY; where a service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Donald Klob and the Rev. Wilton F. Sharpe officiating. Interment will take place at Bay Street Cemetery, Glens Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to Willow Community Church, P.O. Box 20, Willow, NY 12495. A memorial service will also take place at Willow Community Church at later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville.