Mary Murrey

Mary was born in Jacksonville, Florida on November 29, 1955. She was raised by her parents Matthew and Margaret Murrey along with her sisters Ruth and Nancy and brother Matt in a family embodying kindness and decency. She attended Barry University in Miami, Florida, where she obtained a Bachelors of Nursing and then worked as a nurse in Miami for several years.

In 1978, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio to attend Case Western Reserve University to obtain her Masters of Nursing degree. There she met the love of her life, Michael Ittmann, who was studying for his MD/PhD at the same university. The mutual attraction and love was strong and immediate and they were married at his parents’ home in Muskegon, Michigan on June 14, 1980. The bond they had never wavered and was full of joy and adventure. They moved to New York City in 1983 and lived there for 14 years before moving to Houston. In New York she received a Master’s degree in Medical Anthropology and became a published writer, photographer and activist, passions she pursued for the rest of her life.

The greatest joy in Mary’s life was being a mother to her three children: Jackson, Morgan and Maggie. She created a warm, happy and stable home for her children to grow in and achieve their dreams. She was always there when a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on was needed. Family vacations were always special and included many summer vacations in Michigan and an annual Labor Day get together in Wimberley, Texas with family and friends. The family also traveled together extensively within the US and Europe, with many fond memories of the incredible experiences Mary organized on these trips.

Mary was a wonderful friend and had many close friendships lasting decades. She was also an outstanding cook and loved to entertain friends and family in her home. These gatherings are warmly remembered by all who attended over the years.

She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years Dr. Michael Ittmann; her son Dr. Jackson Murrey –Ittmann and his wife Dr. Katie Wilson; daughters Morgan Murrey-Ittmann and Maggie Murrey-Ittmann; all residing in Houston, Texas; sister Ruth Thompson of Jacksonville, Florida, sister Nancy Murrey and husband Steven Settle of Jacksonville, Florida and brother Matthew Murrey and his wife Carol Inskeep of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois as well numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Matthew and Margaret Murrey.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations can be made World Vision at worldvisiongifts.org. This was a tradition initiated in our family by Mary to donate to this charity every Christmas to assist children in poverty worldwide.

A celebration of life for Mary will be held Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas. A cremation will occur.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Murrey family.