Obituary of Helene Ann Murray

Niskayuna-Helene Ann Murray began her new life on Monday April 19, 2010 lovingly surrounded by her family. Born to Edward Burns and Madeline Ford on June 29, 1937, Helene was raised in Hoosick Falls, New York. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1955. She graduated with high honors from Albany's St. Catherine's Childcare Nursing School in 1956. Her work as a child care nurse led her to a wonderful career as a private care nurse in Florida and New York City. On January 31, 1959 Helene married the love of her life, Fredrick T. Murray. Together they raised three terrific kids Theresa Murray-Clasen (Michael) of Montpelier, VT; Thomas Murray of Niskayuna and Jeffrey Murray (Jess) of San Francisco, CA. That led to four wonderful granddaughters, Nikki, Emily, Madeline and Emma Doris. Helene is also survived by her nephew Michael Burns (Griselda), and her grandniece Jessica, grandnephew William; cousins Joanne Cottrell (Ike), Joan Reopel and Shirley Barry. Helene loved to say she retired on January 31, 1959. Her post-retirement career was spent raising her children and loving her grandchildren. Helene loved to garden and can. She was famous for her canned tomatoes and dill pickles. She was an excellent cook and fed many a hungry state trooper or Niskayuna teenager. Helene loved spending time at her summer home on Hedges Lake, playing tennis, swimming and sailing. Helene had a dry, Irish Catholic wit that was a blessing to her grandchildren and sometimes a curse to Fred. She had a great faith that never wavered and that comforted her greatly at the end of her life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 23 at 1 pm at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. John Facci officiating. Calling hours will be Thursday April 22nd from 5PM to 8PM at Jones Funeral Home 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady. The family requests any floral arrangement to be tulips and lilies. All the floral arrangements will be donated to St. Anthony's Church. Memorial contributors may be made in Helene's memory to St. Anthony's Church 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY, 12305.