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Pearl MURRAY Obituary
May 14, 1927 - March 17, 2015
Pearl Murray (nee Bidulock) of Edmonton, Alberta, passed away March 17, 2015. Wife, mother, teacher, author, artist and traveler, she was born May 14, 1927 on a homestead near Hairy Hill, the ninth of 13 children. In 1944, at age 17, she became an emergency wartime teacher in a one-room schoolhouse at Deep Lake. She taught in country schools for a decade, attending University of Alberta summer sessions to earn her teacher's certificate. In 1954 she met David W. Murray (d. 2010) and married in 1956. After working in Montreal and Winnipeg they settled in Edmonton in 1960.
Industrious and determined, Pearl completed her B.Ed in 1972 while raising four children. As a mother she encouraged them at music, languages, sports, and homework; she wove rugs, kilned pots, made soap, spun wool, tiled floors, delivered newspapers and calves. Nature was close to her heart: gardens, plants, vegetables, flowers, harvests, and rare moments with watercolors in the woods. Pearl was a person of unique gifts as teacher, mentor, artist and wife. Married for 54 years she raised a family the world over, living in Wales, Brazil, Germany, and the United States; among other excursions she visited India, China, Japan, Spain, and the Soviet Union.
Although Pearl lost much of her eyesight throughout her life, she remained enduringly optimistic. A wellspring of hope and faith she often gave sound counsel to family and friends: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord." In later years she became primary care-giver to her husband. She also wrote and published a book about homestead experiences. Pearl Murray is lovingly remembered and missed by her children and their spouses: Natalie (Wes) Stevens, Charlene (Allan) Ritchie, Douglas Murray, Donald (Gloria) Murray, and cherished grandchildren.
A celebration of Pearl's life will be held at the U. of A. Faculty Club on March 23 at 10:30 a.m. Parking is available in Lot V. To honour Pearl please consider a donation to the David W. Murray Scholarship at www.giving.ualberta.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
20 Entries
Pete & Lynne Giricz
March 14, 2019
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
A Memorial Gift
Pete & Lynne Giricz
March 24, 2015
PEACE BE WITH YOU
In special remembrance,
Marianist priests, brothers & sisters
Will Pray Daily
that God grant eternal peace to:
PEARL MURRAY
This memorial has been given by:
Pete & Lynne Girciz
A memorial gift also has been given that will help Marianist ministries
serve people in need throughout the world.
WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.SHE WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN. LOVE YOU.
(Pete & Lynne are the parents of Nicole,the wife of your cousin, Mark Chappell.)
Doug Pearce
March 23, 2015
My sincere condolences to my friend Doug Murray and all his family with the passing of his mother Pearl.
Ernest Hanson
March 23, 2015
Dear Murray Family,
I wish you all strength as you grieve such loss! And, as time passes, that your sorrow will be replaced with joy as your remember your Mom and Grand-mom with love!
Peace to you, Ernie
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Lucille Stenson
March 22, 2015
In Memory of a Dear Sister,
I took a moment out of my busy day to think about my sister Pearl, and truly reflect on what she meant to me and my family.
As you all know, Pearl was DOER! Whatever she set her mind on, she accomplished. Her story writing, painting, sculpting, rug-making, sowing, cooking, and gardening were skills which speak for themselves.
Pearl was also a great GIVER! She gave and gave baking, wine, rugs, plants, vegetables, fruits, seeds, pottery, home-made soap, and dresses all her own creations and from her own resources. Rarely did I walk out her door empty-handed. Most giving was her help on the farm at harvest time and the sacrifices she made, leaving her family to fend for themselves for several days at a time. Her offers to accommodate many of the nieces and nephews during their university years are not to be forgotten. Her constant stress on the need for an education' was that of a true and dedicated teacher.
Pearl was our Angel on Earth! She looked after her siblings (four of us) like a mother would. Being the first of our family to attend university, she paved the way for the rest of us providing accommodation, advice, and even financial help. I'll never forget living in the Little White House' (now on the Bidulock farm) in Hairy Hill, AB, when she entered high school. At the age of thirteen, she helped our brother George and me adjust to a town school. Two years later, my sister Beth joined us. Sister Adeline also joined us when she turned six. Where did we all sleep, eat, and do our homework, in that wee house? It was Pearl's ingenuity that made it all click. I must mention that my brother Steve was living close by and was also an excellent mentor.
Pearl's spiritual countenance and her faith in God were front and center of her approaches to Life. With her help and guidance, we kids went to Bible School, Sunday School, and church whenever the opportunities were present. At the age of seven, I remember walking four miles to Sunday School at a little church on the outskirts of Hairy Hill. My little legs were so tired. It was from her examples and beliefs that I adopted my approaches to the stresses of Life. I also married a fine clergyman, my husband, Alvin, who encourages us all to Take it to the Lord and leave it there a line from a favourite hymn. This approach has well served me and my sons, Richard & Kevin, during our lives.
We give our condolences to Pearl's children and grand-children, who now must walk this earth without her physical presence but who are very fortunate to have been given the guidance and resources to continue without her. Her spirit will forever be present.
Lucille, Alvin, Richard, and Kevin Stenson
A blessing from Rev. Alvin Stenson:
May the Lord bless and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon, and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Amen.
[Numbers 6, 24-27]
Pearl and Dave Murray, 1998. Photo taken by Dan Myers
Beth Myers
March 22, 2015
Many, many good things can be said about my dear sister,Pearl. Above all she was and is kindness and thoughtfulness itself as is illustrated by her note to me on my last birthday.
My dear Beth
A barn lamp in the west upstairs window alerted Dad in the gathering darkness to turn off the thresher and hurry home. You were blessed to have both parents at your birth. Most of us had Mrs. Odinak (a mid-wife). But she had alread6y left her farm when you came along.
As with most folk you faced challe3nges during your life but also had wonderful blessings. Two children and four grandchildren who now are your help, your comfort, and hope. They give you peace of mind that all is well. Dan was a wonderful friend and confidant.
May God bless you this day and throughout the year. Keep up the positive spirit. I love you, dear sister.
Kindest thoughts,
Pearl
Pearl, I bear these same sentiments for you, your loving husband Dave, and your wonderful children Natalie (Wes), Charlene (Alan), Douglas and Donald (Gloria)and your precious grandchildren.
You have now joined with all those dear ones who have gone before you to that sweet heavenly realm. Pearl you lived life to the fullest and there was only life and more life in your life and I believe with all my heart that you are now enjoying the next logical step of life in the heavenly realm.
Well done and God Bless You,Pearl,
Good and Faithful Servant.
"You are relieved from your Post."
May you Rest In Peace
Your Sister-friend for Life,
Beth Myers, (and children,Mark & Cindy)
Doug Bidulock
March 22, 2015
Deepest sympathies to all the Murray Family with the passing of Auntie Pearl. We will always remember her stories and the knowledge she shared with us over the years. I always enjoyed listening to her stories as she brewed me a fresh cup of mint tea, picked fresh from her garden. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Vic and Karen Wiebe
March 22, 2015
Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Tamara Bidulock
March 22, 2015
Her love of family was eternal, and her shared memories a gift everlasting. Thank you, aunt Pearl.
Kathleen Huculak
March 22, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the family in the passing of Pearl. My late husband,Johnny, always spoke very highly of her teachings at Deep School - May She Rest In Peace and her Memories be Eternal
Kathleen (Shewchuk) Huculak
Judy Koncur (Ayer)
March 22, 2015
Dear Charlene and family. My sincere condolences on the passing of your Mom. May your loving memories comfort you during this difficult time.
March 21, 2015
To the family of Pearl Murray,
I noticed the obituary for Pearl today, my condolences on your loss.
Each month I and other colleagues at the Edmonton Public Library visit local extended care centres and do story readings' for interested residents. It is always hard to find material that is engaging and relevant for these sessions. One of our go-to and most consistently popular sources of stories is Pearl's book. Many times a story has triggered memories and lively discussion. One woman was very excited by the description of the visit of King George to Edmonton, and she told us how she had taken the train at 7 years old to stand on Kingsway Avenue and wave to the King and Queen too. Staff told me she would be talking about this for weeks.
Through sharing her stories it seems as though I knew Pearl and I am sorry I did not meet her. I would have liked her to know that her stories are still told and appreciated.
Again, my condolences.
Sincerely
Sandra Leclair
Stan & Judy Eliuk
March 21, 2015
It is wth profound sadness that I can't be with you to share hugs & tears & stories of Dear Aunt Pearl. We shall continue her legacy of Bidulock stories, care & concern for others, humor, respect & frugality for our great environment & the life she stood for. We are blessed to have had her as our mentor & friend.
Diane Zinyk
March 21, 2015
Pearl was an active participant in the Strathcona Senior Centre Creative Writing Group. She shared a number of reflections from her past about her life and travels. She will be missed. My thoughts are with you in you loss.
Eileen Farrus
March 21, 2015
The Murray Family,
Your mom was always such an inspiration to those around her. I have many found memories of different times spent with your mom, as I am sure a lot of the cousins do.
Unfortunately I am not able to attend the service but my love and prayers are with you all. Rest in peace Auntie Pearl.
It is with sadness that I won't be with you to hold hands, share our tears and enjoy stories of Aunt Pearl.
Stan & Judy Eliuk
March 20, 2015
Marlene Yatzko
March 20, 2015
To my aunts and cousins,
I am sending my heartfelt condolences. Your mother/grandmother/sister was more than an aunt to me. Because I lived with her for a little while when my mother was hospitalized, she was my substitute mother. I appreciated what she taught me and how she treated me.
Love, Marlene (and Bill) Yatzko
March 20, 2015
Our Dear Sister Pearl;
You will be missed by the whole family and especially by Adeline and her family. Your continued optimism will be an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace.
Carol Kotylak-Hapke
March 20, 2015
Dear Murray Family,
I had the pleasure of meeting your Mom at an art show at the Strathcona Seniors Centre several years ago. She was delightful and an amazing woman. I loved the handcrafted paper she made and now have two of her beautiful pieces hanging in our home.
I am sorry for your loss.
Jean Greenhill
March 20, 2015
Dear Pearl,
Your warmth and kindness will be sadly missed. It was a blessing to know you.
With love, Jean Greenhill
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