Mary Lou E. Murray, 86, of rural Danville, passed away Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Geisinger Medical Center.

Born June 10, 1932 in Danville, she was the daughter of the late Elwood and Caroline (Dye) Cotner. On September 21, 1952 she married Joseph L. Murray and they have celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Mary Lou was a 1950 graduate of the former North Mont High School, Turbotville and graduated from Ja’Mels Beauty School in Bloomsburg.

Early in life she had worked at the former Philco/Ford Corp., Watsontown. A hairdresser most of her working years, she had taught briefly at Ja’Mels Beauty School and later was a hairdresser at Kramm Nursing Home in Watsontown and Kramm Healthcare Center in Milton for 25 years until retiring.

She was a member of the California Grange #941 where she served as Lecturer for many years and an active, lifetime member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Turbotville. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Watsontown.

Mary Lou enjoyed music, gardening, sewing and traveling. She loved trips to Branson, MO and winter trips to Florida as well as spending time at their cottage on Isle of Que on the Susquehanna River. But most precious to her were all the times she spent with her family.

Surviving is her constant companion and lifelong best friend, Joe Murray, and their children: J. Robert and his wife Arlene Murray of Milton; Cindy Murray Tarr and her husband Lon of Danville; Susan E. Wajda and her husband Frank of Allenwood; John E. and his wife Ann Murray of Northumberland; and Lana L. Reed of Deerfield Beach, FL; and three grandchildren: Brandon A. and Jared B. Tarr and Brynn N. Wajda.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael P. Murray who died in infancy on Oct. 14, 1961; and two sisters: Ethel Magargle and Nancy C. Schultz.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 PM Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, 39 Paradise Street, Turbotville where California Grange will conduct a memorial service at 5:45 PM. Friends may also call from 10 to 11:00 AM Tuesday at the church where a Liturgy of Resurrection and New Life will be held at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Erwin C. Roux, her pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Presbyterian Cemetery, McEwensville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her memory be made to either the American Kidney Fund atwww.kidneyfund.org or the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home, 207 Broadway St, Turbotville. http://www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com