COLUMBUS
Margaret May Murray, 85, of Columbus, passed away on October 2, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Seton Specialty Long-Term Acute Care Hospital in Indianapolis.
She was born May 15, 1937, in Alquina, Indiana, to Elmer and Wilma Faber. She graduated from Alquina School, where she attended first through 12th grades with the same group of classmates.
Her passions were her collection of cardinal figurines and artwork, her treasured friendships, her romance with a dashing young Air Force officer named Jon Fred Murray that blossomed over half a century of marriage, and the kids and grandkids who were at the center of so many joyous times together.
She married Fred on Jan. 30, 1965, at Alquina United Methodist Church. When he passed away on Dec. 7, 2021, she lost her partner for 54 years of travel and adventure. Their greatest adventures arrived in 1965, with their son, Kevin, and in 1970 with their daughter, Heidi. As Fred pursued his career at Cummins Engine Co. and later with Simon Property Group, and Kevin and Heidi made their way through school, Margaret was the hub of family activity while also working in marketing for Ambassador Greeting Cards. She took every opportunity to make delicious meals for friends and family, and there was always plenty of good food and laughs around the dinner table. She remained close to her brothers and sisters, and she and Fred shared many joyful moments with them.
Margaret and Fred had so many friends their names would fill these pages. The family pursued the love of travel they had developed during Fred’s Air Force career, especially trips to favorite spots in Germany. They bought a fifth-wheel RV for trips to Arizona with friends, to Florida with her family, and annual family camping trips. Both Kevin and Heidi were members of the Columbus East High School marching band, and Margaret was an active member of the band boosters, forging many close friendships, including a number of couples that regularly went out for dinner and called themselves the Pig Out Group. That inspired Margaret to begin a collection of pig figurines exceeded only by her cardinal collection. Another regular gathering of close friends, the dinner group, would collaborate on gourmet meals at a couple’s home or share a dinner out once a month.
She loved quilting and crafts and was a member of a crafting group that met regularly. Whether it was a family camping trip, a holiday feast or a casual weekend dinner, she put planning and effort into every gathering to make it a special occasion. She was highly creative with the spoken word, sprinkling her conversation with a variety of words and phrases, some of which she created herself.
When Kevin and Heidi married and had children of their own, she took on the role of grandma with enthusiasm, sharing her grandkids’ joy in silly jokes and gifts. They gathered together in the house on Lantern Lane, on the farm in Connersville where Fred grew up, and around the campfire at the Franklin County Antique Machinery Show. She was an all-out decorator for the holidays, with a special focus on witches at Halloween in a loving tribute to her mother, who was born on Halloween.
In addition to Kevin (Betty) , of Connersville, and Heidi (William), of St. Louis, Mo., she is survived by brothers Dale (Rita), Marion (Ann), and sister Marilyn (Floyd) Robertson; grandchildren Andrew (Janiese) of Connersville, Joshua (Meaghan) of Anderson, Cassidy (Grant) of Verona, Wisconsin, and Jackson (Sabrina) of Chicago; and 16 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters Nellie (Delford) Beckner and Martha (Ernie) Dorrell and brother Johnny (Vivian).
Margaret was a lifelong giver of gifts. Her final gift was to the Indiana Donor Network, and the family encourages others to consider organ donation. Memorial donations may be made to the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
In keeping with the families wishes, cremation is planned.
The family will schedule a memorial service for friends and loved ones at a later date.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com
