Florence Murray

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Murray, age 102, of Wayne, NJ.  Florence passed away peacefully on Monday February 17, 2025 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Florence was born in Garfield and raised in East Paterson NJ, now known as Elmwood Park.  She was one of three children to Vincent and Josephine Tavone.  While growing up in Elmwood Park, Florence attended Eastside High School where she graduated with the class of 1940. Florence was known to her classmates as an avid ice skater, and she enjoyed badminton as an adult.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Florence enrolled in a local business school where she earned certification as a secretary.  She found a position with Curtis-Wright in one of their plants around Paterson, NJ.  Her work with the Curtis-Wright Corporation directly supported the war effort at home, exemplifying the strength and courage of the Greatest Generation.

Florence met the love of her life, a handsome young man by the name of Charles Murray.  Florence and Charles fell in love and were married in 1943, while Charles was on leave from service during World War II as a proud member of the US Navy Seabees. Following Charles’ honorable discharge from the Navy, the newlyweds settled in Wayne, NJ.  Florence and Charles called Wayne their home for their entire married life and while residing there, welcomed the birth of their only child, their son Glenn.

Florence’s greatest passion in life was for her family and home. Nothing in the world meant more to Florence than providing for and spending time with her husband and son.  Shortly after the birth of her son, Florence decided to become a full-time homemaker, devoting herself to nurturing and caring for her family.  Florence and Charles cherished nearly forty years of marriage until Charles passed away in 1980.

While living in Wayne, Florence was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church and Our Lady of the Valley RC Church for many years.  Florence was also a dedicated volunteer at St Joseph’s Wayne Hospital in Wayne.

In her spare time, Florence enjoyed crossword puzzles and crocheting.  She also treasured traveling with her family to a variety of destinations over the years such as Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada.  Florence was a strong, independent, and very home-oriented woman who was wonderfully organized.  She had a place for everything and everything was in its place.  Florence could often be found keeping busy around her house cleaning and organizing or outside her home meticulously manicuring her front and back yard.

Florence will forever be remembered as a truly devoted wife and mother.  She was blessed with and enjoyed good health for more than a century.  Florence was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be missed sincerely by all who knew her.

Florence is survived by her son Dr. Glenn Murray and his wife Kinuko Fukumine of Wayne, and one niece Marie A Tavone of Elmwood Park.  She was predeceased by her husband Charles Murray, her brother Anthony Tavone, and by her sister Marie Tavone.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Florences name may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org