Carmen (Carmela) Frances Murray Obituary (1916 - 2020)

Carmen (Carmela) was the first born of five children, Carmela, Connie (Concetta), Mary Anna, Danny (Sebastiano), and Franny (Francisca) Greco. Their parents, Francisco and Francisca were immigrants from Sicily and settled in Omaha, Nebraska. Francisco was a carpenter for the Union Pacific Railroad and ran a separate business as a cobbler during the Great Depression. As a young woman, Carmen trained to be a beautician, and opened her own beauty shop in Omaha. Carmen met Neil Murray, a Seattle native, during World War II. They married, and after the war settled in Seattle with their daughter, Margaret. Connie and her husband followed Carmen to Seattle. Housing was limited after the war, but the sisters were able to purchase a small apartment building near Roosevelt High School, living in a couple of the units, and earning rent from the other units in the building. Later, they sold the building and were able to purchase homes in North Seattle where they raise their children. Carmen was very active in the community. She volunteered for many political candidates including Senator Scoop Jackson's senate and presidential campaigns. Carmen and her neighbors organized an effort to challenge Washington State during construction of North Seattle Community College when their homes were condemned for construction of the new campus. They retained a prominent local real estate attorney named John Erlichman (a later Nixon aide involved in the Watergate affair), to challenge the State for just compensation for their properties, and their efforts later contributed to federal legislation to ensure rights to citizens subjected to eminent domain proceedings. After her husband retired, Carmen became active in the National Association of Retired and Active Federal Employees, serving in various capacities, including State president. She enjoyed frequent travel to vacation spots and to attend membership conventions of organizations she belonged to. Neil and Carmen also joined the Italian Club, where Neil served as Sergeant of Arms for many years, and Carmen served in various capacities, including President of the Ladies Auxiliary. Carmen was proud of her Italian heritage. She loved the dinner dances, holiday parties, picnics, and other activities of the Italian Club, and enjoyed close friendships with many members of the Club. Her husband passed in 1992, and her daughter passed in 2014. Though the oldest, she outlived all of her siblings, and passed away peacefully on January 12, 2020, 8 days after her 104th birthday. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who will all miss her beautiful smile and her zest for life. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Carmen (Carmela) Frances Murray, please click here to visit our sympathy store.