Irene Murray

Mrs. Irene F. Murray, 92, of La Porte, Indiana and West Palm Beach, Florida, died Tuesday May 19, 2009 at La Porte Hospital in La Porte, Ind. She was born November 5, 1916 in LaPorte, Indiana, the daughter of Francis Pankowski and Marie Janowski Pankowski. Irene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of LaPorte and Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church of West Palm Beach, FL. She was an officer of the St. Joseph Rosary Society and the Home and School Guild and she sang in the church choir. Irene graduated from LaPorte High School in 1934 and was the class secretary. She was a member of Upsilon Chapter, Pi Epsilon Kappa Sorority; and a volunteer Red Cross Nurses Aide Holy Family Hospital during WW II. Irene was a Girl Scout Brownie leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. Irene worked at Levine's Department Store office, LaPorte Gas and Electric, Pine Lake Cemetery office and at Murray Monuments co-owner with her husband. Irene enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, sewing, gardening and bowling. On October 25, 1941, in LaPorte, IN., she married Lawrence J. Murray who preceded her in death on October 2, 1994 after 53 years of marrage. She is survived by her two daughters Paula Erwin Orthman of Valparaiso, IN, Martha Daniel Fridh of La Porte, IN; one son Thomas Renee' Murray of Spokane, WA; seven grandchildren Kevin Wendy Orthman of Valparaiso, IN, Andrea Michael Slawski of Fairfax, VA, Jonathan Orthman of US Army Enterprise, AL, Erin Fridh of Indianapolis, IN, Lindsay Aaron Gogel of LaPorte, IN, Ashley Fridh of LaPorte, IN, Lisa Avery of Spokane, WA; three great-grandchildren Charles Orthman, Brooklyn Gogel, Ella Avery; one sister Jean Pankowski of LaPorte, IN; and two nieces and one nephew. Irene was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Pankowski, and a grandchild, Nathan Avery. Arrangements are being handled by Haverstock Funeral Home, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, Ind. where the family will receive friends Friday, May 22, 2009 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm & Saturday 10:00 am - 10:45 am. A rosary service will be held 7:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Saturday May 23, 2009 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Ted Nordquist officiating. Interment will follow at the Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph God Parents program or to the donor's choice. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Irene F. Murray please visit our Sympathy Store.