MSgt. Catherine G. Murray

Catherine Grace Murray, 1917-2017, A Life Well Lived Catherine Grace Murray, Retired Master Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps, age 100 and a resident of Fort Lauderdale since 1971, passed away with dignity and peace at her home on December 20, 2017. She was reunited in heaven with her parents, John J. and Katharine Frances Murray, her Aunt Ellen "Nelly" Kenny who was like a second mother to her, and her beloved brothers Reverend Father John J. Murray and Robert E. Murray. Catherine is survived by many dear friends, whom she considered family, from all over the United States and beyond since she loved to travel (particularly to Ireland given her proud Irish heritage and family roots in Donegal, Ireland). She is also survived by her devoted companion and caregiver of 22 years, Mark Adkins. Catherine was born on April 2, 1917 in Phillipsburg, NJ and was educated for 12 years by the Sisters of Mercy. As soon as she graduated from high school, she moved to Washington, D.C. At the time this was a bold move for a young woman but her brother John was already living there working as a messenger for the F.B.I. and going to Columbus Law School so she quickly met new friends and made a life for herself. Finding a job after the Great Depression was difficult but Catherine had strong skills as a typist and stenographer and she excelled at shorthand. She volunteered with the American Women Volunteer Services and worked for the Federal Trade Commission, the Veterans' Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Mines for several years. She enjoyed her work but wanted more challenges and the chance to make a difference. Without asking for permission or approval, Catherine enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in March of 1943. She always loved the saying, "Women Marines… Fewer… Prouder." During her nearly 20 years of Marine Corps service she was stationed in 15 duty stations from London, England to Hawaii, with three tours of duty in D.C. Living in Europe gave her the opportunity to fulfill her dream of traveling and exploring. She visited many countries, frequently with her brother John. While in the Marine Corps she learned a valuable life lesson- to always keep one's sense of humor. Upon her retirement from active duty in 1962Catherine became the first woman to join the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve. She enjoyed telling the story of being on the television show "To Tell the Truth" when the host asked "will the real Catherine Murray stand up?" Always devoted to her family, Catherine returned to Phillipsburg NJ to care for her ailing mother and aunt. She also volunteered for Warren Hospital where she organized many successful fund raising projects. After her mother and aunt passed away within 24 hours of each other, she sold both of the family homes and moved to Fort Lauderdale. By then her brother John had retired from the F.B.I. after 39 years of service and had become a Catholic priest. Fr. John had already bought a condominium there so she was keen to start a new life that included more travel, both abroad and across the United States, as well as volunteerism. She visited Ireland 10 times with Fr. John and twice with Mark Adkins. Catherine collected many treasures along the way that reminded her of her adventures and wonderful friends. For a while she also worked driving the trolley for Creighton`s Restaurant (famous for the "Worlds' Best Apple Pie") where she enthusiastically told people who passed by to "Come and get on… the price is right." Catherine always loved being with children and teaching them valuable life lessons such as the importance of reading, working hard and living a life filled with faith. She became known as "Aunt Catherine" to many neighborhood children (and then to their children as they themselves became parents). After she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Catherine reacquainted herself with the Sisters of Mercy. She became a Holy Cross Hospital volunteer at the suggestion of her brother. She always said, "John thought I should volunteer for a day but he didn't say which days, so I went in every day". While at Holy Cross she served in various roles including as the Auxiliary President from 1987-1989. She retired after volunteering more than 48,000 hours (which equates to over 23 years of full time employment). Catherine often said that her time with the Holy Cross Auxiliary as a volunteer and an officer were her most meaningful life experiences. In addition to her volunteer work, Catherine cared for Fr. John when he developed Parkinson's disease and was made a Pastor Emeritus. It was important for her to ensure that his last years were spent at his home surrounded by the faith and love that had sustained them throughout their lives. Her devotion to him endured until he passed away in 1997 at the age of 84. She fondly remembered him and regaled friends with the stories of their adventures together. Catherine lived a life guided by her strong Catholic faith and eternal optimism. She saw the very best in everyone and was always joyful, even as her health began to decline recently. Her core belief was "Others, yes others, let this my motto be, for when we are serving others then we live for Thee". She loved being with people and went to Mass faithfully at Holy Cross. Mark ensured that she was always dressed impeccably and her hair was perfect. She often wore a Marine Corps necklace or pin as she was so proud to be a veteran. Catherine had a keen sense of adventure and a curiosity for life that did not dim even when she was no longer able to travel. She valued lifelong learning and education was very important to her. She could recite poems verse for verse and she sang a wide variety of songs, from hymns to Irish folk songs, with enthusiasm. She even had her own Facebook page and she learned to FaceTime with friends. At age 98 she wrote a twenty page account of her life complete with cherished photos of family and friends. Catherine's memory was sharp and she never forgot a friend. In her final years, she took great joy in visiting others and in her birthday celebrations, which were always attended by dozens of people. Catherine was generous to all and enjoyed sharing many of her special treasures with others as remembrances of times spent with loved ones. She called you "dear" and she meant that from the bottom of her heart. Her sense of duty to country never dimmed and "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) truly described her. Catherine was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Women's Guild the Mercy Associates and the Women Marines Association. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in her memory to Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A military burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Written by: Maria Curran