Shirley Murray

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother & great-great grandmother, Shirley Gile Murray sadly passed away February 21, 2023, at her home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, with her daughters by her side after a short battle with cancer. She was 97.

 Shirley was born on November 18, 1925, to parents John I Gile & Carrie B Gile in Nottingham, Massachusetts. Beloved sister of Vernon, Edith, Ruth, Virginia, and John, the family of eight lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Shirley would always speak fondly of her years in Massachusetts. There, she met the love of her life, Ernest Raymond Murray, and they married on August 17, 1945.

The young Murray's started their family in 1946, with the birth of their twin daughters, Joanne and Dianne. Next came daughters Judy, Shirley, and Lauretta (affectionately known as Tooty!) Shirley was the epitome of grit. She cared for her children, and home, all while working full time at Raytheon factory, soldering and welding electronic computer components. Shirley was incredibly passionate about her work as a welder and machinist and clearly loved rolling up her sleeves and never afraid of getting her hands dirty. She came from very simple means, worked hard her entire life, and showed us all what it meant to be disciplined and to respect one’s possessions and obligations. Implicit in this was her incredible work ethic. Shirley never stopped moving. She was a constant flurry of motion-cleaning, ironing, mowing her lawn, running errands, and cooking the best goulash you’ve ever tasted. She worked so hard and never sat still. She seemed to run on love for her family, adrenaline, and a cup of her favorite Folgers instant coffee. This self-discipline gave her an aura of strength. While she was small and thin, her mettle was thick and strong. Shirley was tough – loving and kind, but firm.

In 1962, the young Murray family loaded up their 57 Chevy with no air-conditioning, five girls, and all their possessions and relocated to a new life in South Florida. The family enjoyed the warm weather, nearby beaches, and many days fishing on their boat so appropriately named “All in the Family.” Once their girls married and had their own children, Shirley came into her best role yet, Grama Shirley! All eight grandkids were always at Grama and Papa’s house, swimming, laughing, and enjoying simple times together. Some of the best summer vacations were all of the families at Grama and Papa’s vacation rental at Delray Beach. We’d all swim for hours and bake in the sun.

 Grama and Papa loved to travel. Europe, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Mexico were their favorite trips. Gram was adventurous and fearless! She loved all roller coasters and parasailing over the ocean. Gram also loved playing cards, making puzzles, playing dominos and her favorite slot machines. They loved all Miami sports - especially the Dolphins.

Grama Shirley modeled strength. She learned she would need to be strong- stronger than most. And that’s what she did, especially after suffering the heartbreaking loss of her three daughters. As she did all her life, Gram dug deep and painfully moved on, but with a big piece of her heart missing. She showed us what it meant to stand strong- even when things are hard and, at times, devastating. In 2002, Gram lost the love of her life when Papa passed away. Her heart would never be the same as she had to once again painfully move on.

 Year by year, Gram experienced the circle of life. Gratefully she celebrated fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was so proud of the family she created.

In later years, you could always find Gram with a crumpled napkin or tissue in her hand watching game shows, (especially The Price is Right,) enjoying visits with Aunt Jay and Happy Hours with Lou and Sue. She loved frequenting Hard Rock Casino and playing her favorite slot machine, Piggy Banking! Her stories were mesmerizing. Her memory was uncanny.

Grama Shirley was a true matriarch. She was our family’s foundation and guiding light. She was full of wisdom from her 97 years of life, with a heart full of love for her family. She raised five remarkable women, devoted daughters, mothers, and wives – she was always so proud of her girls. However, in recent years daughters Judy and Tooty reversed roles with her and became her caregivers. Gram always talked about how much she appreciated all they did for her, but felt anguish for their sacrifice. The girls cherished those years with her, and often told her, “you took care of us; now it’s our turn to take care of you.”

And after twenty years apart, Gram is reunited with Papa again. Her partner and sweetheart married 56 years... She also reunited with her beautiful daughters Shirley, Dianne and Joanne. We are comforted knowing that she is with her parents, siblings, and two grandsons Bob and Brian that left before her. We love knowing that they are all together again. While we miss her dearly, we celebrate that she won’t suffer from aching loneliness anymore or from the pain of the cancer. We smile knowing that she is surrounded by those friends and family who’ve gone before her and we imagine a huge welcoming party in Heaven. We also imagine her playing her favorite Piggy slot machines dancing up a storm, effortlessly, her blue eyes sparkling, and her body healed and healthy, for all eternity.

Grama Shirley is survived by her daughters Judy (Bruce) and Lauretta, six grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She will rest at Fred Hunter Hollywood Memorial Cemetery North with her husband and two of her three daughters.

 Also a heartfelt thank you to Vitas Hospice for the loving care Gram received up until her final breath. We will never forget your kindness, compassion and professionalism during our time of need.

 Grama Shirley, you will be dearly missed, forever loved, never forgotten. Until we meet again – We love you.