Mary Beth Murray

Mary Beth passed away peacefully on Sunday September 17, 2023 after an unexpected cerebral hemorrhage.  In her final days her family was able to say good-bye to their sweet angel, as she passed cradled in the arms of her sister, Lynn.

Mary Beth was born Feb. 7, 1964 in Madison, WI to Bill and Mary Anne (Waddell) Murray.  She was born with Downs Syndrome.   In her 59 years with us, she showed us to live life to its fullest, love unconditionally, and see beauty in everyone.    

She lived her early years in residence at St Coletta’s of Wisconsin.  She received exquisite care and education from the Sisters of St Francis of Assisi.  She graduated from high school at St. Coletta’s.  In her career, she worked for over twenty years at the VA Hospital in Madison, WI in laundry and pharmacy services.  She later worked at UW Health Urology clinic and Green County Vocational Industries.   She was proud of her work accomplishments and independence.

Mary Beth was active in the Special Olympics at the local, State, and International level.  She loved the joy of competing and the friendships that developed from her participation.  She developed many lifelong friends, especially her best friend Erin Donnell.  When it came to weddings, festivals, or family events, Mary’s dance card was always full.  Her infectious smile, carefree attitude, and dance groove ignited the party.  She would often say “Well we’re here guys!”.

Later in life Mary Beth was able to see new parts of the world thanks to her sister, Lynn and brother-in- law, John.  Her brothers are eternally grateful that she was able to have these new experiences.  As sisters, Lynn and Mary Beth completed each other and shared an especially loving and spiritual connection.  She loved coloring, and her art was rich in color and detail.  She was competitive at board games, puzzles, and cornhole.  She loved her pets in addition to the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers.

Mary Beth is preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents -- William and Frances (Manning) Murray; Dr. John and Ruth (Nee) Waddell.  They, along with many years of family pets, have now welcomed her home.  She is survived by her siblings -- Lynn (Dr John) Kryger, Bill (Shelly) Murray, Steve Murray; her nephews -- Cody and Tyler Murray; her nieces -- McKenna and Alaina Murray;  her very special friends Ron Brown and Jan Cutler-Brown.

Her family would like to thank her nurses, Jessica and Amanda, of St Mary’s Hospital in Madison, who cared for her so meaningfully in her final days.

A public visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday Sept 23, 2023 at St Maria Goretti Parish, 5313 Flad Ave, Madison.  A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will follow at 11:00 am officiated by her cousin, Fr Richard Heilman.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Special Olympics of Wisconsin or St Coletta’s of Wisconsin in Mary Beth’s memory.