Erna Murray
10 July 1933 – 16 Aug 2023
Former Dryden resident Erna Murray passed away on August 16, 2023.
Born July 10, 1933 in the small community of Halbstadt, Erna grew up in southern Manitoba. It wasn’t easy. It was the depression, and her father had trouble finding work. By age eight she was already washing floors at a local restaurant, collecting laundry and helping raise her younger siblings. Erna left school and home, then in Morris, Manitoba, after grade eight. She moved to Winnipeg to make money to send back to her family. She was a babysitter, a candy factory worker, a key punch operator, a data collector, a hat check girl… and usually had more than one job at a time. It wasn’t all work and no play though. She made a lot of friends, saw some good shows and met a few famous people at the Winnipeg Playhouse.
Her life took a turn (for the better, we think!) when she met and married Ian Murray in 1964. She then embarked on the life of a small town bank manager’s wife, transferring to Pine Falls, Manitoba, Nipigon, Ontario, The Pas, Manitoba and finally Dryden, Ontario. They were both bridge players, curlers and golfers and made many friends wherever they lived. Erna also volunteered for organizations like the Cancer Society and Diabetes Foundation for decades. She sold Electrolux vacuums door-to-door and still had the trophies for being ‘top salesman’ many times. (A sign of the times – the biggest trophy had the figure of a man on it) Erna had a lot of skills, was super crafty and won many blue ribbons for her baking at fall fairs. Her lemon loaf and dinner rolls were particular favourites.
Once Ian retired in 1992 they settled in Duncan, B.C. Their past times became full-time, with the addition of world travel. They covered six of the seven continents and RV’ed up and down Canada.
They had 30 pretty darn good years, with a lovely home, garden and a couple of grandchildren.
But eventually, the years caught up to them. Ian passed away in February. Erna had dementia, and was always asking where he went. Then she fell and fractured her hip. She passed away six days later.
Erna Murray is survived by her daughter Brenda, son Ron, daughter Sharon Czettisch, son-in-law Jason and grandchildren Ella and Riley as well as her brothers Glen (Darlene) and Ed (Judy) and sisters Dorothy and Barbara (Geoff) as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ian, parents Ed and Katherine Law and sisters Elsie and Marion.
She’ll be buried next summer in Morris, Manitoba. If you care to make a donation in her memory the Alzheimer Society would be fitting.
