MARY LEE MARSHALL MCMURREY
1926-2017
MARY LEE MARSHALL MCMURREY of Houston, Texas -beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend - peacefully passed away on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2017.
Mary Lee (known as Lee) was born November 5, 1926, at home in Cameron, Texas, to Reverend Richard S. Marshall and Lois B. Anderson Marshall. She was the fourth, and youngest, child of a Methodist preacher. As was Methodist practice at that time, the family often transferred between Texas towns according to the needs of the Church.
Lee attended Sam Houston State Teachers College and attained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. While in chemistry class, she met Charles McMurrey (Mac) who had just returned from the WWII European Theater. He soon convinced her to be his girlfriend. After graduation they both moved to Houston and Lee began her career as a draftsperson at Schlumberger. They married in 1948—a marriage that lasted 66 years and brought them 4 children, nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many memorable adventures.
Lee left Schlumberger to raise her children, and while she did not get the professional career she dreamed of, she did use her skills as an excellent manager of money and people. Above all, she loved her husband and family. Mac and Lee were a formidable team, always exhibiting love, integrity and perseverance to provide a loving home. The family spent many wonderful weekends at their ranch and summer vacations exploring the national parks. Their days were filled with baseball, scouts, ballet and homework. They put their family first and were their children’s greatest allies.
Despite managing a busy household of a husband and four children, she was always an eager volunteer. She was active in PTAs and garden clubs. She volunteered for several decades at the Houston Methodist Hospital’s gift shop and in the occupational therapy department at the Texas Research Institute for the Mental Sciences in the Medical Center. She was a talented seamstress, making curtains, quilts, and clothes for the children. She knitted sweaters for family and friends, afghan blankets for wedding gifts, beautiful baby blankets for the gift shop and prayer shawls for her church.
Lee is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Richard S. Marshall, Jr. and James M. Marshall, sister, Dorothy Hartt, and daughter-in-law, Annette McMurrey.
She is survived by her children; Charles McMurrey Jr., Janet Tallichet and husband Henri, James McMurrey and wife Laurie, John McMurrey and wife Jenyriza. She will be dearly missed by her beloved grandchildren; Laura McNamara and husband Mark, Anna McBride and husband Daniel, Carrie Tallichet Smith and husband Michael, Jules Tallichet, Natalie Tallichet, LeAnn McMurrey, Marshall McMurrey and wife Santana, Melissa Patronella and husband Nicholas and Jenico McMurrey Lee also loved her 8 great-grandchildren; Nathan, Brynlee, and Macy McNamara, Adley, Brooks, and Caden McBride, and Madison and Alexis Whitley.
Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the many friends and healthcare workers who have blessed and surrounded Mom with love and support. In particular we would like to thank Dr. Cynthia Williams, Dr. Michael Mihalik, Alice Robertson, Jane Arismendez, Joyce Palbo, and Ingrid Brade who have gone the extra mile for us.
A memorial service and celebration of Lee’s life will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 3rd of June, at The Hallmark, 4718 Hallmark Drive, Houston. Reverend Dave Steane of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to your favorite charity in Lee’s name.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed” – Proverbs 31:28