It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, Susan Freda Murray (nee Burton) on 8 April 2021. She left us peacefully, with family at her side, at her residence in Red Deer, Alberta. Mom was in her 94th year, born November 23 1926 at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.
Freda was predeceased by her parents James and Susan Burton, and devoted husband Jim. She was the beloved mother of Susan Murray (Jane Burns) of Sylvan Lake, Gail Murray (Derek Nielsen) of Edmonton, Stephen (Teresa) Murray of Okotoks and Colin (Cindy) Murray of Ottawa. She will be missed by her seven grandchildren Graham (Nancy) Vanderwater, Shannon (Alan) Forman, Benjamin, Samuel, Brianna, Braden and Brooke Murray, as well as great grandchildren Oliver, Edwin, Gavin and Alec. Her passing is also mourned by her brothers Jim (Frances) Burton of Ottawa and Tom (Kathleen) Burton of Osoyoos, as well as their loving families.
Residing in downtown Ottawa during her early years, Mom attended Glasham Public school until the family moved to the Village of Overbrook for the health of her Mother. Our mother thrived through Overbrook Public School and Lisgar Collegiate Institute where she excelled academically and established life-long friendships. In 1948 she graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Civic Hospital and chose to ‘ride-the-rails’ with close friends to British Columbia where she began her nursing career in Trail Hospital before moving to the North Shore Hospital in North Vancouver. Leaving her position as a Ward Supervisor, Mom returned to Ottawa and was introduced to a young man named Jim Murray (Dad), a WW2 Veteran who was then crewed with Spartan Air Services. They married in 1953.
Our mother was a loving and confident woman, devoted to close friends and committed to her faith. She often took leadership roles in her community, enhancing the lives of youth through the church or other ventures such as the Girl Guide Rangers program in Claremont, Ont. Our mother was also a talented and compassionate nurse, holding positions in the operating room, emergency room, as well as long term health care, but more than anything Mon and Dad were dedicated to their children and raising their family. Their love of adventure took them on a two year mission to Indonesia with the Colombo Plan, returning to Calgary and then Toronto before settling to raise their family in their dream home on 100 acre farm near Claremont, Ont in 1963. In 1979, they moved to Edmonton with grandchildren close by, and eventually Mom settled in Red Deer. Sadly, Mom began to battle dementia too early in her life, which inhibited her role in the family, but somehow she found her steady state and continued to brighten every room with her contagious smile and love for others. She remained engaged with family throughout and was lovingly embraced by her Residence community in Red Deer, Alberta.
The family extends sincere and heartfelt appreciation to staff of Extendicare Michener Hill for their excellent care and loving attention.
The family is planning to celebrate Freda’s life with a virtual service at 11am on 8 May in Red Deer, Alberta. This will be followed by an interment service when it is safe to do so. For information or online condolences please visit: www.dignitymemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, please share your goodwill in memory of Freda with the Alzheimer Society of Canada
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