Marjorie Carol Murray

Marjorie Carol Smith Murray, (Marje), passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015, at William Hill Manor/Bayliegh Chase in Easton, MD, after a prolonged illness. She was 88 years old. Marje was the second daughter born to John Ernest Smith and Edna Hammond Smith on December 24, 1926, at their Baltimore home on Belle Avenue. She graduated from Forest Park High in 1945 and then attended Western Maryland College, where she met her first husband, Jack Eccles, when he was home on leave from the U.S. Army. That marriage ended in divorce in 1951. She married her second husband, William Evan Murray (Bill), in 1954, and they made their home in Homestead, FL, where Mr. Murray developed one of Florida's first retirement communities, Leisure City. Upon completion of that project, they moved to Louisa, VA, and purchased Grey Gables Farm in 1956 where they bred and raised Angus cattle and Shetland ponies. That marriage ended in divorce in 1962. Marje then moved with her five children to Charlottesville, VA, and started her career with the federal government, starting with Department of Health, Education and Welfare as an administrative assistant. She then went on to become an intelligence analyst for the Foreign Science & Technology Center and retired as a supply specialist from New Cumberland Army Depot in 1987. In 1987, Marje purchased her "dream house" in Martingham, just outside of St. Michaels, MD, so she could be closer to her children and grandchildren.Throughout her life, nothing was more important to her than her family, and consequently her house was always filled with her children, their children, friends and animals. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, gardening, volunteering at the St. Michaels Library, and buying and selling antiques. She was a member of the Martingham Womens Club, the Miles River Yacht Club, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She is predeceased by her parents and sister, Dorothy Hammond Smith, both former husbands, and one grandchild, Geoffrey Stuart Eccles. Marje is survived by her five children; John C. Eccles (Tracie) of Wittman, MD, David E. Eccles (Judy) of West Chester, PA, Carol M. McGraw (Richard) of Coronado, CA, M. Alice Murray Winn (Gregory) of Waxhaw, NC, and Suzanne M. Higgins (Bradley) of St. Michaels, MD; seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home at 200 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD, on Friday, June 26, 2015 ,at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Talbot Humane, P.O. Box 1143, Easton, MD 21601. The family would also like to express their appreciation to the staff of William Hill Manor/Bayliegh Chase and Talbot Hospice for their care throughout Marje's illness.

Marjorie Carol Murray

December 24, 1926 - June 20, 2015