Nancy May Murray

Nancy M. Murray entered into Eternal Life on September 12, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado, surrounded by many of her loved ones. Mrs. Murray was born in Denver, Colorado on August 1, 1921 to Charles E. and Elizabeth (Williams) Lounsbery. She grew up in the Washington Park area of Denver, Colorado. At the age of 6 she met Thomas A. Murray, age 8, who was going to be the love of her life. Thomas A. Murray was the son of Rev. Thomas Murray, who was the pastor of First Avenue Presbyterian Church, the church Nancy and her parents attended their entire lives. Nancy’s older brother Charles E. Lounsbery, Jr. died on July 24, 1938 at the age of 19 from injuries incurred in a climbing accident at Red Rocks. Nancy’s parents instilled in her a great love of the outdoors, especially the Colorado mountains. She grew up hiking, skiing, camping and fishing. She also had a great love of music and was an expert pianist. Nancy graduated from South High School in 1938. After attending Hastings College in Nebraska, Nancy graduated from the Colorado State College of Education, now known as the University of Northern Colorado in 1943 with degrees in music and education. In 1943 she was commissioned as a missionary to the Ganado Navajo mission in Arizona. She married her childhood sweetheart Thomas A. Murray, who was now a Medical Doctor and Captain in the U.S. Army on August 26, 1946 at First Avenue Presbyterian Church in Denver. In December of 1946, Nancy and her husband boarded the Marine Carp in New York City to begin their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Iran, where they were to serve as medical missionaries until 1964. During that time she served as a nurse in the Christian Hospital in Meshed and was active in music and children ministries among the Iranians. Her service included riding a donkey to remote villages in Iran to provide medical services. In 1951, during one of her furloughs to the United States, she graduated from the Children’s Hospital School of Nursing. After returning to the United States in 1964, Nancy worked as a nurse at several locations, including the University of Denver. Returning to Colorado allowed her to return to the outdoor activities she loved so much. She loved hiking, including many “Fourteeners” and downhill and cross country skiing. She continued to be very active in First Avenue Presbyterian Church as choir member, organist, Deacon, Elder, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She also spent much time helping others. She was predeceased by her husband Thomas A. Murray, M.D. who died on January 25, 2015, and daughter Sharon C. Blomquist, who died on February 8, 2011. She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Tat) Stewart of Aurora, son Charles A. Murray of Denver, and son Scott (Betsy) of Denver She is also survived by grandchildren Tim (Abigail) Stewart of Aurora, Emily (Mahmoud) Esmaili of Parker, Andrew (Bridget) Blomquist of Denver, Alyson (Adam) Gawlikowski of Castle Rock, Arnold (Mary) Blomquist of Denver, Caleb (Alena) Murray and Allan Murray of Denver and Nicolas Murray of Mancos, Colorado. She is also survived by twelve great grandchildren who adored her: Leila, Zac and Parisa Esmaili, Ashton and Clara Stewart, Christopher, Evelyn and David Gawlikowski, Henry and Reilly Blomquist, Nolan Blomquist, and Merlin Murray. Please offer the family condolences by signing the guestbook below.