Mary was born in Brooklyn, NY, December 14, 1934. She married at 18, had her first child at 19, and went on to have three more children. From Brooklyn she moved to Long Island, to Oklahoma City, to Sarasota and ultimately to Tampa in 2005.
She is predeceased by her parents Margaret T. (Devaney) O’Brien and Walter J. O’Brien, her sister Dorothy A. O’Brien, her former husband Robert J. Murley and her son Brian J. Murley. She is survived by her sons David L. Murley and Alan J. Murley and her daughter Elizabeth E. Harmon (H. Daniel); as well as her grandchildren Brooke M. McDonald (Douglas), Robert E. Harmon, Lauren F. Dunaj (Robert) and Elise M. Stewart (Bennett); and her great grandchildren Grace E. McDonald, Bennett B. McDonald, Jack R. Dunaj, Madelyn B. Dunaj and Emma P. Stewart.
Her life was her testimony, and it was powerful, tender and fierce, always with an easy smile.
A lover of reading, she often read two or more books a week, wrote beautiful poetry, mastered every crossword puzzle that came her way, and often beat the contestants with the right answers on Jeopardy.
Being a mother was her deepest calling. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her greatest source of pride. She was a Catholic first, and a compassionate friend, counselor and intercessor.
A master of English grammar, she worked a number of years as a typesetter and editor, many years overnights so she could be with her family during the day. At 18, she worked at the Brooklyn Museum and modeled Vivian Leigh’s costumes from Gone With the Wind. When she moved to Tampa, she worked at her daughter’s public relations firm, along with her granddaughters Brooke and Lauren.
She was a caring and egalitarian person, who later in years worked the polls in elections. She said we lived in the greatest country in the world and was proud to do her part to support democracy.
In a life where nothing is guaranteed, Mary made the most of her time with all of us. She was a giver, who lived a life of simple aspirations: to create a close and loving family and cherish her friendships. Losing her leaves a huge hole in our lives, but with prayer and love and the strength that is their companion, it will change us and the world in beautiful ways, just as she did.
Mary will always be remembered as a devoted and selfless daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She will be missed by everyone who was fortunate to know her.
A funeral will take place Friday, September 24 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. The family asks that all in attendance please wear masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute, 4001 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613
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