Margaret Amelia Murray

We are sad to announce that Margaret Amelia Murray died on June 27th at Hospice Cape Breton in Sydney. Born in Hants County, Nova Scotia, on June 30th, 1940, Margaret grew up in Poplar Grove, the daughter of Courtney and Ruth (nee McInnis) Miller. She attended business school in Halifax and worked at Royal Print and Litho as a stenographer/typist until her marriage to the love of her life, Francis X (Sonny) Murray. They married on her 19th birthday and had almost 67 years together.

Margaret was fun loving, funny, kind and creative. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and a good game of cards. She was a devoted wife to Sonny, and in her final months she often said her greatest joy in life was being a mother. She was an avid reader and instilled a love of reading in all of her children. Christmas, Easter and birthdays were extra special as Margaret had a knack for finding or making just the right gift.

While raising six children, Margaret managed to find time to be involved with the Sydney Forks Home and School Association, the St. Mary’s Parish CWL and Sydney Forks Pathfinders. She also served in executive positions for many years in her local TOPS chapter. Margaret explored her creative side over the years by taking lessons in sewing, ceramics, stained glass art, cake decorating and silver jewelry making. She knit beautiful sweaters, sewed clothing for her children and award winning costumes for a number of TOPS conventions and made beautiful banners for St. Mary’s Church in East Bay. Despite believing she was not musical, Margaret took step dancing lessons with her three daughters in the 70s and supported her husband’s passion for traditional Cape Breton fiddle music throughout their entire married life. Fortunately, she found her ‘voice’ while at Hospice and could be heard singing almost daily.

Margaret co-hosted many house parties with Sonny, and guests often enjoyed her carrot cake and chocolate date squares. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, Kaye MacKenzie, Mary McKeough and Florence MacDonald, especially while playing a game of 45s. In later years she enjoyed travelling with her friend Christine to Scotland, Cuba and New York City. Margaret never said no to a crib game and played almost daily in the final months of her life, taking great delight in beating her son-in-law, Stephen.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Francis (Sonny) Murray, son, Angus Murray, father, Courtney Miller, mother, Ruth Miller, sister, Jean Benedict and brother, John Miller. She is survived by her children, Terry (Stephen), Hugh (Lorna), Mary Anne, Heather (Rob) and Scott; siblings, Everett Miller and Ruth Mahar; grandchildren, Alex (Aditi), Catherine Louise (Colin), Michael, Erica, Kyle, Dylan, Matthew (Autumn), Amelia, and Rhys; great grandchildren, Claire and Arjun; best friend, Christine Doucette.

Much gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Hospice Cape Breton where Margaret spent the last three and a half months of her life. Her life was rich and full while she was a patient there.

Special thank you to Gus and Christine Doucette and Diane Meister, for being such good friends and neighbours over the years.

Margaret enjoyed her Bailey’s Irish Cream, so next time you are sipping a beverage and thinking of her, raise your glass and repeat her favourite toast, “Cheers, not tears!”

There will be no visitation or funeral. Graveside service for family will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Margaret, please consider Hospice Cape Breton, The Canadian Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer North America, or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.