Obituary of Marion I. McMurray

Marion “Mamie” McMurray, 93, was called to be with our Lord on Sunday March 29, 2010 at Pleasant Valley Nursing Facility after a long illness. Mamie was born in Glens Falls to Rodney and Marion (Grant) Chase. She selflessly devoted herself to her husband, Bill and her family. She exemplified the saying that “the entire sum of existence is the magic of being needed by just one person”. Our mother, grandmother and great grandmother was that one person whose love was without limits. Through this sadness she would want us to know that love is eternal, the aspect may change but not the essence. She loved everyone with the breath, smiles, laughter and tears of life. Mamie married Bill in 1939 and began her life as a wife and mother as she watched her husband leave to serve during WWII. After the war Mamie and Bill made their home in Middle Falls for 70 years. She loved to bake and was often found singing and dancing in her kitchen to all the old songs. She worked at Stevens & Thompson Paper Mill in Middle Falls until her retirement. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Parish and a supporter of the Middle Falls Fire Department. In November, Mamie suffered the loss of her husband and best friend Bill McMurray. In addition she was preceded in death by two brothers, Rodney and Francis and one sister, Catherine Lombardo. She is survived by her daughter Sandra and her husband Raymond VanGuilder. Grandma Mac as she was so lovingly called is survived by 3 grandchildren; Gina Neron and her husband Stephen of West Fort Ann, Ray Vanguilder and friend Sara of Wilton, and Ruthy VanGuilder and friend Bill of Virginia Beach, VA. She was blessed to have 7 great grandchildren; Kirsten, Peter and Spencer VanGuilder, Benjamin and Bryan Neron, Christopher and Cassandra Guinand. Mamie was blessed with a niece, Colleen McMurray and a goddaughter Kathy Schermerhorn. Mamie will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Keisha Lundberg and her son Jack, and her lifelong best friend Dot Schermerhorn. Over the years Mamie would be seen with Bill walking through town and visiting local restaurants and stores with many people in our community. Please know that you have all touched her life, she sincerely enjoyed visiting with all of you. Her smiles and gentle laughter were reflections of her appreciation for the friendship and kindness you returned. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30AM Thursday April 1 at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich, with Rev. Martin Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Flynn Bros., Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main St. Greenwich prior to the funeral beginning at 8:30AM Thursday. Memorials in her name may be made to the Middle Falls Fire Dept.