Marie Murray

Aug 7, 1933 -

Sep 12, 2020

Marie Francoise Murray, 87, passed into the Lord's hands early Saturday morning surrounded by her four children. She was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Francoise was born on Aug. 7, 1933, in Angouleme, France. This charming and historic city located on a plateau in southwestern France was nicknamed the "balcony of the southwest." It was in this beautiful setting that she, the third of six children, was raised and developed her devotion to the Roman Catholic faith and her lifelong sensibilities. However, life was not always so easy. Growing up during the Great Depression and living through the occupation of her city during World War II, she learned the importance and necessity of resourcefulness, and commitment to family. As a young adult, Francoise served one summer as an au pair in Bournemouth, England, where she honed her skills of English. This led to a 10-year career working as a French civilian in an administrative position for the American stationed Military presence in La Braconne, France. This is where she would meet her future husband, Jackson S. Murray. The two fell in love and on April 27, 1963, were married in a small chapel in the picturesque countryside of La Braconne. The proposal and wedding was a rushed affair, since Jack had only two weeks to report back to Ft. Richie, Md., where he was stationed and they would begin their new life together.

In June 1968, Francoise and her husband Jack loaded up the Volkswagen bus from Frederick, Md., with three toddlers and one in tow. They headed north via the Alaska-Canada Highway on a two-week adventure arriving at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, on the Fourth of July. They didn't know at the time that Alaska would be their forever home. After Jack retired from the military in 1971, they had a house built in nearby Anchorage, Alaska, in which they lived until the passing of Jack in 2017. She lived the remainder of her life at her cherished condo at Chester Park. Family played a very important role in her life. Daily dinner at 6 o'clock sharp - turning into Sunday dinner when all the kids moved out on their own, family celebrations, weekly mass, healthy living, bike rides, tennis, croquet, bridge and other card games and long drives. Her favorite spot for picnic gatherings was McHugh Creek. Her travels with Jack took her to many beautiful places including her love of cruising the Caribbean.

Francoise kept her French connection with her monthly women's French ladies' group, letters and phone calls to her siblings and frequent trips back home to France, baking traditional French family recipes and her weekly subscription to "Match" magazine. She loved sharing her French culture with her grandchildren, especially passing on her secret family crepe recipe!

Francoise was preceded in death by her husband, Jackson S. Murray; her parents, Remy and Louise Marie de Maillard; and her brother, Robert de Maillard. She is survived by her sisters, Aliette du Portal, Odette de Maillard, Monique Desmiers de Chenon and Chantal de Menonville; son and daughter-in-law, Guy and Donna Murray of Florida and their children Bryn, Jackson and Cathryn; daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Shelby Johansen, and their children Nicholas, Victoria and Savannah; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Cristy Murray and their children Anthony and Marc; son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Karla Murray and their children Amanda, Dawson, Kaitlyn and Kolby; and many other family members and friends. A visitation will be held at St. Patrick's Parish, 2111 Muldoon Rd., on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at 8 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at Ft. Richardson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.

Please visit Francoise's obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.