Josephine Murray

AT THE CASEY - O'DONNELL FAMILY FUNERAL HOME - Waterbury - Mrs. Josephine (Smith) Murray, age 81, of 2221 East Main St., died Saturday afternoon at home, surrounded by her devoted family who had cared for her throughout her extended illness. Josephine was the widow of William J. Murray Jr. who passed in September 2000.

Mrs. Murray was born on February 23, 1928 in Waterbury, the daughter of the late James and Catherine (Monahan) Smith. She was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School and was employed at Seth Thomas, Watertown Mfg and Lombard Bros of Waterbury. She was also a lunch aide for the City of Waterbury for many years. Above all else she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, raising and nurturing 8 children and she was the most happiest when she was among her large family. She was a longtime member of SS Peter & Paul Church and was active in the Madonna Guild and a member of the choir. She and her husband lived in Northport FL during their retirement years where she was a member of San Pedro Church and was also a member of the choir there. Josephine loved traveling with her devoted husband.

Josephine leaves two sons, James of Waterbury and Gregory and his wife Kendra of Bremerton WA, 5 daughters, Kathleen and her husband Edward Engebretson of Goffstown NH, Aileen and her husband Biagio "Bruce" Zappone of Waterbury, Maureen and her husband Kevin Kelly of Waterbury, Colleen Murray of Waterbury and Joann Murray and her husband Mark Tedesco of Watertown. She also leaves her twin sister, Rosemary Ptachinski and her husband Richardof South Windsor CT and two sister in laws, Jean Murray and Mercedes Murray, both of Waterbury.. She leaves the light of her life: 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Patrick & Stephanie Rivard, Nicholas and Sarah Zappone, Jessica and Steven Murray, Melanie and Kevin Kelly Jr., Jeffrey Jr., Laura and Alan Wheeler, Krystal Lanier and Gregory Jr and Kristina Murray and great grandchildren; Kaylee Smith and Ethan Lanier. She was predeceased by her son William J. Murray III. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. She will be missed greatly by Mitzi her treasured Kitty. Josephine's family would like to thank the staff at Waterbury Hospital, P5, P9 and SICU, Vitas Hospice and A & D Healthcare for the wonderful care they all provided to Mom over the past few months. A very special, heartfelt thanks to the private aides, Deborah, Lanee, Janice, Brenda, Charelle, Kia and Pepper who cared for Mom at home.

Funeral services for Mrs. Murray will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 8:00am from the Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home 1581 East Main St Waterbury to SS Peter & Paul Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am. Burial will follow in Old St. Joseph's Cemetery, Waterbury. Family and friends may visit the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 ?" 8 pm. Memorial donations in Mrs. Murray's memory may be made to MEOW Inc. P. O. Box 999 Litchfield, CT 06759 or Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 1579 Straits Turnpike Suite C, Middlebury CT 06762 For additional information or to leave an e-condolence, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.caseyodonnell.com