My cousin, Mary Lou Murray, died on May 30. She was 12 years older than me, but very close to our entire family for her whole life. Until 1945, we all lived in a family compound in Bridgeport at the corner of North Avenue and James Street. There were three or four houses that contain my parents, my grandparents (on the Bown side), Mary Lou and her parents, Frossie, my mother's sister, and John Cull. My mother's aunt, Agnes Riley, live behind us in a house facing James Street. There were no fences between the houses, so we had a large open area as a backyard.
Mary Lou was very close to my mother, and acted as a babysitter for me. She was very glamorous, and went to the Yale Drama School for a while before marrying Tom Murray. She remained close to my mother and father all their lives, particularly in the last 30 years after her parents passed away. She and Tom have a large house in Weston, Connecticut, which was always the center of activities on holidays and for any family party.
Unfortunately, Mary Lou suffered a stroke or a heart attack a half dozen years ago that left her brain-damaged. It has been a very difficult time for both Mary Lou and Tom, as well as from her family. Tom has had live-in nursing assistance for her for several years.
I flew to Connecticut on June 3 for the funeral on June 4, which was a lovely event honoring her memory. Unfortunately, Mary Ellen had a severe allergic reaction, and could not make the trip. My condolences go to Tommy, and to their children, Josh, Mariliz, and Kate.
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