Helen Riley Murray

1934 - 2021

Helen Riley Murray

Louisville - Helen Riley Murray, age 87, left this earth for her Heavenly home on Sunday, May 2, 2021 to be with her Lord and Savior following complications of a stroke. She was born in Louisville on April 10, 1934 to Chester and Ada (Kephart) Riley.

She attended Louisville Girls High School that later merged with duPont Manual High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree - focusing on secretarial science - from the University of Louisville. She enjoyed working as a legal secretary/paralegal for Jon Ackerson, Attorney-at-Law, for many years until retirement at age 72. She married Donald Christie Murray on January 4, 1959. They had four children: Judith, Susan, Nancy, and Douglas.

Helen had a loving, giving heart. Her generosity was evident with all her children when they faced financial struggles and difficulties in life. She loved being a mother and was very active raising them in the church and attending all their various school activities. She taught the neighborhood girls how to jitterbug in the living room of the house she raised her family in on Brentwood Avenue (south of Churchill Downs). She also taught the neighborhood girls how to play softball and subsequently became a softball coach for the girls' team the "Royal Debs" at Wyandotte Park. She was especially proud of her children who all graduated from college. She loved her church, Christ Church Cathedral, and was a member there for over 60 years. She served on the Chapter and Altar Guild. She taught Sunday school and served as an acolyte. Helen enjoyed playing canasta with her "canasta club ladies" every month for decades. She was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. She enjoyed music, especially listening to Frank Sinatra. She especially loved country line dancing and two-stepping. She could be seen on TV when Coyotes night club would show locals dancing on the sawdust floor. Her favorite baseball team was the Cincinnati Reds whom she began to follow when they were known as the "Big Red Machine." She was a "die-hard" University of Louisville Cardinal fan.

Helen was preceded in death by her father and mother Chester and Ada Riley, twin sister Carolyn Francisco, sister Dorothy Riley, and sister Betty Jordan. She is survived by her four children: Judith Taylor (Chris), Susan Livingston (Jeff), Nancy Delcour (Tim), Douglas Murray (Lisa Lewis and Lydia), grandchildren: Christopher Nobles (Mackenzie Smith), Jennifer Martin (Jon), Andy Bing (Lisa), Kylie Farmer (T.J.), Shannon Veale (Doug), Nicole and Danielle McGraw, Lisa Thomason, and Evan Lukat; great-grandchildren: Jackson, Jayce, Wesley, and Grace; step-son, Paul Murray (Meridith and their 5 children), one dear cousin, Karen Rock, nephew Jeff Jordan (Barbara and Betsy), and one special life-long friend, Delores Huffman and many other friends.

A celebration of her life, visitation and funeral will be held on Thursday at 11:00am Christ Church Cathedral, 421 So. 2nd Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202. Attendance is by reservation only, please call the church at 502 587 1354. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:30 until time of service. Parking is limited, there are parking garages nearby, one is the Omni Hotel. Arrangements are being handled by Louisville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

Donations in her memory may be sent to Christ Church Cathedral, 421 South Second Street, Louisville, KY 40202.