Mindy (Shefts) Murray

Mindy Shefts Murray, 66, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024 from complications after heart surgery; she was surrounded by family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, love and kindness that will continue to inspire her family and all who knew her.

A 1957 New Year’s Eve gift to her parents, Sam and Shirley Shefts, Mindy was born at Mt. Sinai Hospital in the Bronx and later moved with her parents and sisters Janet and Nancy to East Meadow, New York on Long Island. Following her graduation from East Meadow High School in 1975, Mindy attended SUNY Oneonta where she earned a degree in business, laying the foundation for a successful career. As importantly, it was there at age 19 that she met the love of her life, Jim Murray and they were soulmates for the next 48 years. After their graduation in 1979, the two began their careers in New York City along with their treasured Oneonta friends, including her college roommates Marilyn Werner and Mindy Schoen. Working for little money in an expensive city, the friends took care of each other and shared benefits of their starter jobs, making the most of NYC experiences. They forged lifelong bonds with friends that continue to this day.

In 1982, Mindy and Jim were married at the Tavern on the Green in NYC, a fairytale venue made even more beautiful by the sandblasted glass work created by her talented artist father, Sam. After a time, the partners in love became partners in business along with Mike Todisco, building the successful Cadwell Products Co. Inc. business in their new home state of Massachusetts. Mindy’s amazing creativity, business savvy and relationship building skills were the foundation of the business. Friends and family marveled at the idea that Mindy and Jim would go home at night unable to say “how was your day”, having been side by side day in and day out for 38 years.

The happy couple’s life would change again in August, 2001, when they received news that their long-awaited dream to share their love with a child came true with the news that a baby girl awaited them in China. In October, 2001, undeterred by air travel challenges post September 11, Mindy and Jim went to China to bring their beautiful Sofi home. An ancient Chinese proverb says, “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.”

Mindy raised Sofi in the Jewish tradition and took pride in Sofi’s Bat Mitzvah as well as her graduations from Millis High School and both Bachelor’s with honors and Master’s from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mostly, she took pride in Sofi’s good and kind heart.

Mindy loved her diverse family, embracing Jewish, Catholic and Chinese traditions. She celebrated holidays big and small, inviting everyone to her table filled with an abundance of food. She loved her many friends made through the community, Sha’arei Shalom congregation and book club. She enjoyed time outdoors – by the ocean on the Cape or on walks with their beloved dog, Percy.

Her life was not without hardship. In 2016, Mindy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – a disease she literally fought, taking boxing lessons as well as dance lessons, successfully fighting to get Jim to the dance floor. A medical procedure last year gave her a reprieve from some of the hardest symptoms, and she and Jim embraced every moment, traveling to Costa Rica, Las Vegas and California.

Mindy was a quiet, calming presence whose great smile lit up every room she entered. She had a keen sense of the right thing to do in any situation; her counsel and compassion made all who loved her strive to be their better selves. She will be greatly missed.

Mindy is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jim Murray; their daughter Sofi Yi Xin Murray; her devoted mother, Shirley Shefts; her beloved sisters Janet Shefts and Nancy Shefts; sister-in-laws Linda (Mike) Friedman and Lisa (Jim) McGovern; nephews and nieces Scott Friedman, Sarah Friedman (Hans) Lauzen, Patrick McGovern and Molly McGovern as well as caring cousins. She was predeceased by her father, Sam Shefts.

Services for Mindy Murray will be held on Wednesday, December 11th in the Constellation Room of The Verve Hotel located at 1360 Worcester Street, Natick, MA, from 3:00pm – 5:00pm followed by light refreshments. The memorial will be live streamed (see details below) at 2:45pm (ET).

On Thursday, December 12th, a gathering will be held for family and friends at the Murray home between 2:00pm – 5:00pm and 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to www.michaeljfox.org

Live stream details:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89323941299?pwd=4zAwgoorK7gDYSV9JSboDuwXajFUFt.1

Meeting ID: 893 2394 1299; Passcode: 139227