Helen Murray was born on September 22, 1920 to Marcel and Rosalia (Wrubleski) Niedjelski, on the family homestead SW 18-35-10 North of Kuroki, Sask.
She was 1 of 9 children: Chester Sloan, Vema Whiteside, Reginal Dolezal, Edward Niedjelski (the only surviving sibling left), Benjamin Niedjelski, Florence scofield, Helen Murray, Victoria Kennedy, Henry Niedjelski.
Helen lived in a small, 1 room shack and sais she remembers her mother staying up late into the night to keep the small wood stove going, as this was their only source of heat.
Helen went to ROSA school near Kuroki.
She met Thomas Daniel (Dan) Murray and on November 22,1939, she and Dan were married in a double ceremony with Dan’s brother Robert and his fiancee Elsie Shobe. They were married in Lintlaw, Sask. By Father Ostroski.
Dan and Helen moved to Nut Mountain, Sask. to try grain farming. Dan & Helen adopted 2 boys: Jim & Joe. In 1955, after a few very wet years, they packed up the boys and moved to Dawson Creek, B.C.
Dan got a job working for the City of Dawson Creek, while Helen stayed home to look after the boys.
They adopted 3 more children: Danny , Mike, and Lisa.
In the early ‘70’s, Helen went to a reflexologist and felt so good afterwards, she decided she wanted to become a reflexologist also. She went to Calgary and took the course. She immediately began to do foot treatments when she got back home. Soon, she started going into town on Fridays, as she had so many clients.
In between foot treatments and taking care of the kids, she took care of a huge garden and many flower beds.
She also knit and crocheted toques, mitts and sweaters as needed.
And the Baking!! Whenever our family had a Christmas or Easter gathering, mom would bake up a storm!! Pies, several varieties of cookies and her ever special BUNS. This recipe is a family treasure, as all of us eagerly looked forward to mom’s buns... .fresh from the oven! !we would slather them with butter and jam.. .Yumm!!
Whenever family members would come home.. they would ask “Where’s the buns?”
Dan & Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 22,1989,when the kids threw a surprise party at the Upper Cutbank Hall in Feller’s Heights.
Sadly, On December 19, 2010, Helen passed away with her daughter, Lisa; son, Mike and family friends: Gene & Marilyn Spenner, by her side.
Helen was predeceased by her parents: Marcel & Rosalia Niedjelski; her late husband, Dan Murray; her sisters: Vema Whiteside, Reginal Dolezal, Florence Scofield & Victoria Kennedy; her brothers: Chester Sloan, Benjamin and Henry.
She is survived by her only remaining sibling, Edward Niedjelski; of Vemon, B.C.; her sons: Jim (Claire) Murray of Perth, Australia; Joe Murray of Kelowna. B.C; Dan ( Linda) Murray of Kelowna B.C.; Mike Murray of Dawson Creek B.C; daughter, Lisa (Ruedi) Bachmann of Pouce Coupe, B.C.; 15 grand children and 5 great-grand children.
On behalf of Helen Murray’s families, we would like to thank the following people; Dr. Ashwell, who gave her such excellent care and always made her laugh.
The 2nd floor nurses: Jewels (her guardian angel), Becki, Erna, Carla and the others whose names I have forgotten.
Susanne Duffield who was a super help and ‘Go Between’ for Lisa.
Marilyn Belak, Marilyn Forester; and Dee Daly for staying with mom so Lisa could go home for some family time.
A HUGE, HUGE thank-you to Gene & Marilyn Spenner for their love, support and prayers.
Also, a Huge Thanks to Ken Brinson for making Lisa’s task much easier.
Thanks to Father Mike Anyasoro and the C.W.L for the services and luncheon.Thanks to all family and friends who sent flowers and visited mom.
A special thank-you to Sue cooper and Darrell Tripp, Desiree Murray, Nicole Murray, Thea & Justin Murray for helping Auntie Lisa take care of Grandma.
Thank-you to Richard, Sandy & Ami from Reynars Funeral Home you made a difficult task a lot less traumic!!
