Janet Rae Murray

Janet Rae Murray, 74, of Rockford passed away Sunday, July 5, 2015, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Janet was born in Rockford on June 13, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Helen (Newman) Conley. She was a 1959 graduate of Muldoon High School, and attended the University of Illinois and Rockford University.
Janet worked at Illinois National Bank and later as a teacher at St. James Grade School. What she loved the most was staying home to raise her five loving children. She was also a co-owner of Paper Pleasers.
Janet married Benjamin Murray in St. James Catholic Church on November 23, 1963. She was a room mother at St. Bernadette Grade School and also helped to establish the Natural Helpers Program at Boylan Catholic High School. Janet was an active and participating member of the Cathedral of St. Peter. She was also a member of the San Marco Catholic Church in Marco Island, FL, where she was an Eucharistic Minister. She was volunteer reader at Tommie Barfield Elementary School in Marco Island, FL. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, Junior League of Rockford, and participated in the Rockford Garden Glory Walk.
Survived by her husband of 51 years, Ben; her children, Margaret Mary “Peggy” (Joe) Ciembronowicz, Deborah Rae “Debby” (David) Krueger, Molly Lynn Murray, all of Rockford, John Benjamin (Michele Vocu) Murray of Ft. Myers, FL, and Katie Patricia (John) Rose of Rockford; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Hunter Ciembronowicz, Eric Krueger, Cassidy, Jack, and Joseph Foley, Padraig and Seamus Murray, and Maggie, Annie, Mary Margaret, and Gracie Rose; her sisters, Mary Schnell, Kay Johnson, and Connie Nelson; her sister-in-law, Pat (Bob) McAtee; her brother-in-law, John “Jack” (Pat) Murray, and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Helen Newman, her sister, Sally Conley Callahan; her nephews, Patrick Callahan and Steven Dannenberg; her niece, Kathleen Callahan Anderson. Janet had many friends who filled her life with love and laughter. Special thanks to Northern Illinois Hospice, especially Deb, Julie, Barbara, Sue, Ken, and her CNA Amy for their kind and compassionate care.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, July 10, 2015, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St. Rockford, 61103 with the Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D.J.C.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford officiating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. with the Rosary being recited at 8:00 P.M., Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Av, Rockford, 61103. Visitation will also be from 9:30 A.M. until 10:15 A.M. on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Janet Murray Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o Boylan Catholic High School Advancement Office, 4000 St. Francis Drive, Rockford, 61103, that will provide financial assistance annually to a student. You may also make your gift online at www.boylan.org/donate. Please mark Janet Murray in the TRIBUTE area at the bottom. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.