Virginia Murray

VIRGINIA MAE (CHRISTIE) MURRAY

Virginia Mae (Christie) Murray, 84, a lifelong resident of Duluth, passed away peacefully Nov. 20, 2014, surrounded by loved ones in Tequesta, Fla.

Virginia was born July 19, 1930, in Detroit, the daughter of George and Lorraine (Mehrman) Christie. She grew up in Morgan Park and graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1948. Virginia attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1953 and a master's degree in education in 1981. She married Robert Murray in 1954 and together they raised their three children. She was a very devoted mother and always an enthusiastic supporter of whatever endeavor the children were partaking in. They enjoyed many summers at Long Lake and later retired to winters in south Florida.

Virginia enjoyed 54 years in education, having taught all levels from early childhood through university graduate classes. She started her teaching career in Two Harbors, spent many years teaching elementary physical education in the Duluth school system and enjoyed the majority of her career at UMD in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She contributed to her field by serving on numerous association boards and committees through the years.

In 1981 she was the recipient of the Lou Keller Award, given to honor and recognize the outstanding services and contributions of a university professor in the field of dance, health and physical education. In 1995 she received the Minnesota Dance Education Teacher of the Year Award. Virginia loved her coworkers and her students and believed "the ultimate concern is the student for any person involved in an educational institution." Virginia supported her students by attending the majority of UMD sporting events over the years; this was her passion and joy.

Virginia was a longtime member of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Mary Christie; and husband Robert Murray.

Virginia is survived by her children, Mary (Jim) Kolar of Tequesta, Robert Murray Jr. (Susan Nystrom) of Duluth and Christine Eidson of Tequesta; grandchildren Amy (Ryan) May of McCoy, Colo., Christy Kolar (Felix Rexach) of New York, N.Y., Tony Kolar (Leyka Degran) of Tequesta, Kylie Murray (Jeff Sinnott) of Duluth and Keegan Murray of Duluth; great-grandchildren Grace and Lily May; sisters-in-law Iris "Tootie" Mcmanus of Norwich, Conn., and Patricia Murray of Coon Rapids, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews who were dear to her.

VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, and 10 until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial Friday, Dec. 5, in Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2804 E. Fourth St., Duluth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Alzheimer's Association or charity of your choosing.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, (218) 727-3555.