Molly L. Murray

Molly Leaver Murray was born on August 30, 1928 in Salt Lake City to Leo Leaver and Edythe Gibson. Both of her parents died when she was young, and Molly was raised in Rocks Springs, Wyoming by her grandparents.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Molly's mother and several aunts were members of an all-female jazz band named the Gibson Navigators, popular on vaudeville stages during this time. The band was led by Edythe and her father, and Molly had fond memories of traveling with and watching her aunts perform. These experiences led to her love of music, in particular playing the piano and her passion for jitterbug dancing.

Molly attended the University of Wyoming where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and made many lifelong friends as a sister in the Tri Delta Sorority.

Molly moved to Fort Collins, married Jim Brown, raised two boys, and helped with the farm and ranch operations, including supporting her sons as they raised champion sheep. After the boys were grown, she began a long and successful career of 25 years as a professor of accounting at Colorado State University.

Molly's love of and impact on the University took many forms—she often took in graduate students as extended family members, her students went on to become nationally recognized leaders in finance and economics, and the Molly Murray Scholarship Fund annually awards financial support to outstanding accounting graduate students. She was an ardent fan of Ram football and men's and women's basketball and always eagerly anticipated matchups against her beloved Wyoming Cowboys.

In 1971, Molly married Doug Murray, the love of her life, and they enjoyed almost 47 years together. Molly and Doug made a home at Warren Shores in Fort Collins, where they provided a warm and welcoming sanctuary for three generations of family members. Together, they have lived a rich and full life, traveling around the world on Semester at Sea, as well as embarking on many adventures near and far with close friends.

Molly and Doug were both avid golfers, tennis players, and enjoyed ski trips to Steamboat for many years. Although, not the biggest skiing fan, Molly loved cooking big pancake breakfasts for all the family and friends that funneled through the Steamboat condo. They also supported their large family of swimmers at Westmoor Beach & Blade Club.

Molly was deeply committed to the social and faith-based life in Fort Collins. She was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, P.E.O., and the Fort Collins Country Club, and she and Doug gave generously to many important causes that supported the community. Molly was active in her local Bridge group, Supper Club, and for 40+ years would be seen every Friday enjoying lunch with friends at "Sam's" (El Burrito).

Besides her family, Molly's greatest joy was Christmas time, when she and Doug would decorate the house from wall to wall and floor to ceiling with festive ornaments, snowy villages complete with trains, angels, silver bells, nativity scenes, Simpich characters, candles, and Charlie Brown and Snoopy. As much as she loved creating this wonderful atmosphere that was dear to all her family, she and Doug took even more pleasure in sharing it with friends – and their families and friends – by hosting an enormous Christmas party every year. It was a tradition that was cherished by all.

Over the years, Molly's love of large dogs was also legend – the bigger and furrier, the better.

Molly is survived by her husband, Doug Murray; three sons, Mark Brown of Salt Lake City, UT, Tim Murray of Anchorage, AK, Todd Murray of Loveland, CO; and four daughters, Sally Murray (Osborn) of Tahoe, CA, Martha Murray (Aleck) of Berkeley, CA; Carolyn Murray (Kwerneland) of Littleton, CO; and Liz Murray (Houston) of Evergreen, CO.

Molly will always be beloved Grammolly to 19 grandchildren and Great-Grammolly to 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by sons Scott Brown and Andy Murray and former husband, Jim Brown.

Services honoring Molly's life will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 20 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted at Northern Colorado AIDS Project, www.coloradohealthnetwork.org .