Marvel J. Murray

Marvel Johnson Murray, 98 and a life-long resident of the Town of Johnstown, passed away quietly at home on May 7. She was born December 3, 1916, to Robert and Mabel Bowler Johnson. She had four older brothers, Alfred, Lloyd, Clark and Howard, who alternately teased her and carried her piggy-back across the fields to the Foot District Schoolhouse. In 1935, Marvel married Leon H. Murray. Throughout the years she worked the candy counter at Woolworths and pressed shirts at Robison & Smith's, retiring 35 years ago from the activities department at the Fulton County Infirmary. She worked hard at home too, caring for her family and putting up the vegetables they grew in the fields around the house. For many years they grew strawberries, picked them after work, and sold them for fifty cents a quart. Marvel was a member of the Pleasant Square Fire Fighters' Auxiliary for many years and of the Bannertown Senior Citizens Club. She belonged to the Fremont Street Methodist Church, attending regularly until walking became too difficult for her. She also was a successful member of TOPS #789 in Gloversville for over 20 years. Marvel always enjoyed her Gloversville High School class reunions and the last one she attended was her 80th. She was a fun person to be around, had a sharp mind, and was the "go-to" person if you needed the marriage or birth dates of her nine grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 21 great-greats. Mom had a special affection for kitties, none more so than her beloved sidekick Romeo. She also loved babies, funny stories and cartoons, the NY Mets, beagles, Wheel of Fortune, lemon meringue pie, square-dancing when she was younger, Glen Campbell, and spending a week in Maine in the summer. She hated seeing lights left on in an empty room, getting junk mail and, most of all, thunder storms. In her later years, Marvel liked to bake treats for whoever might stop by, but especially for her grandson Kevin. She took up sewing potholders to pass the time last winter. This spring she was looking forward to mowing the lawn with her John Deer tractor and seeing her apple tree and other flowers blossom. The family wants to recognize the special relationship Marvel had with her doctors and thank them. She had an especially good bond with Dr. Vacek who would kid with her and with Dr. Zoltay who never failed to be amazed at how well she got along, given her age. Other service folks and neighbors were also very kind and helpful to Mom and she appreciated it very much. With her passing, Marvel has reunited with her husband, parents, brothers and her daughter Ruth E. Morris. Here to cherish memories are daughters Nancy L. Stanzel of Gloversville and Linda Murray-Roy and her husband, Ham Roy of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. All the grandchildren are missing Nana too. A funeral service to celebrate Marvel's life will take place on Friday, May 15, 2015 1 P.M. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street Gloversville with Rev. Dr. RW Williams officiating. Calling hours to which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be held on Friday from 11 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home. Marvel will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. In lieu of flowers, friends may like to make a donation to the charity of their choice or to the James A. Brennan Memorial Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Road, Gloversville, NY 12078. Arrangements have been entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville. Online condolences for the Murray family may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com