Lillian Marie McMurray

Lillian Marie McMurray, known as Lil, Mom, Grandma and GG, passed away at sunset on August 2, 2010. She was surrounded by her family at her home in Woodland Hills. Throughout her two year battle with cancer, she maintained her optimism, wit, spunk and energy. Her determination enabled her to achieve her goal of living to her 82nd birthday. She was an inspiration for aging gracefully. Lillian, the second of three girls, was born in Burley, Idaho on August 2, 1928 to Mac and Gena Baggett. As a young girl, she worked on the family farm along side her sisters, Verda and Maxine and developed her passion for gardening with her mother. She also loved to fish with her father and continued enjoying annual fishing excursions with her son Kendel until she was 80.

She met her husband, Port McMurray, at a USO dance in a nearby town. They married following her High School graduation in September 1946. They moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and then to Denver, Colorado, where they had two of their three children. Lil worked various jobs for a trucking company and Western Bell, and then became an at-home mom when Kally and Karie were born. The family moved to Southern California during the aerospace boom in 1956 where their son, Kendel, was born. In 1959, they purchased a home in the newly developed area of Woodland Hills where she lived the rest of her life. Evidence of her green thumb is visible wherever one looks, as she turned the semi-arid plot into a virtual oasis of fruit trees, hanging ferns, orchids and other stunning flowers, especially her roses. Lil was tenacious, resourceful and creative, performing any task with excellence. She made most of the girls’ clothing including the silk and satin gown Kally wore in her wedding. She attended school to learn upholstering and wall paper hanging and in the mid 60’s, and started her own paper hanging business, an unusual trade for a women of her petite size. She retired from her successful business of more than 20 years when Port retired. She loved to entertain and prepare delicious meals. Lil was admired by all for her fun parties, beautiful tables, and elegant floral arrangements. For 38 years, Lillian held key leadership positions in Psi Delta Sigma, a charitable organization responsible for raising over two million dollars in support of United Cerebral Palsy and other charities for children. She was admired for her professionalism, optimism and kindness; a true inspiration to all who knew her. Family was most important to Lil. She loved having the family together for holidays and impromptu potluck dinners. She had a special relationship with her sisters and kept in close contact with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was interested and proud of their every accomplishment and supportive of their endeavors, offering her wisdom only when asked. Lillian predeceased by her husband, Port McMurray, and is survived by her daughter, Kally McMurray-Fisher and son-in-law Richard Fisher, daughter Dr. Karie McMurray-Himsl and son-in-law Dr. Kyle Himsl, son Kendel McMurray, granddaughters Dawnel Sonntag, and Kiera Himsl, grandsons Garen Moreno and Keaton Himsl, great-grandchildren Sophie and Noah Sonntag and sisters Verda Bassett and Maxine Crowell. Lil’s kindness and her strong and generous spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by everyone who was blessed to know her.