Jami Marie Murray

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Jami Marie Murray, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer. The day she finally freed herself from cancer was the day Jesus welcomed her into heaven. She was 45 years old.

Jami was born on October 17, 1977 and raised in Alpena, Michigan. She credits her amazing parents, John and Karen, for her faithful, strong, hard-working, and fiery personality. Although, some people say it could be the red hair! She looked up to her sister, Nicky, and brother John Andrew her entire life.

She loved being in the water as a child and spending time with her family at their grandparents’ cottage. Jami enjoyed school, even as a teenager, attending St. Anne’s Catholic Grade School and Alpena High School, graduating in 1995. She made many wonderful friends in Alpena and loved her hometown because of the many memories she had in Michigan.

After high school graduation, she moved to Freeland Michigan and attended Saginaw Valley State University. A wonderful friend, Andrea Paxton, introduced her to Jason Murray. She and Jason were married on December 19, 1998. Jason and Jami were best friends who had a positive, fun-loving, equal partnership; one to stand the test of time. One that was an example of true love and devotion for their children. They loved each other all the time, and they liked each other nearly all the time! Jami often said, “Two things to note early on for a positive relationship; Can you travel together and have fun and can you set up a tent together without a meltdown? If so, you can do anything!” Jami and Jason could do that and so much more.

Although cut short, their marriage of 23 years was special. They laughed together, traveled together, made hard decisions together, and built an exceptional family together.

They welcomed their daughter Allison Marie in 2003 and their son Elliot James in 2006. Jami most wanted to be remembered as a wonderful mom. Jami considered raising her children as the absolute greatest honor and greatest accomplishment. There is no way to describe a love so huge and infinite.

The family lived in the Chicago area for five years before finally settling in Saint Charles, Missouri. As a family, they traveled all over the United States, often visiting Michigan, places of historical importance, and many National Parks. Jami’s favorite places were Yellowstone, Hawaii, Key West, Washington DC, Chicago, and New York City. She also loved Colorado, home to a very special person, her Aunt Jeri Wikaryasz.

Jami graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. From 2009 to 2020, she taught at Zion Lutheran School in Saint Charles, Missouri in several grades, but found her passion teaching 7th grade homeroom and 7th and 8th grade history. She loved teaching. When the classroom door opened, a new experience was always waiting for her on the other side.

She loved the challenge of working with middle school students who she felt were exciting, engaging, and perfect for her sense of humor and expectations. Jami met many amazing families, students, and friends at Zion Lutheran School. She found it to be a second home, filled with love, mercy, and grace.

Jami desperately missed teaching when cancer forced her into early retirement.

As a devoted mother, a dear friend described her as the “wise owl”, because of her personality and the incredible approach she used when raising her children. She was loving, caring, easy-going, and funny. She often put other’s needs before her own.

There were a handful of hard and scary times during cancer treatment. She would say to her nurses, doctors, and family, “Let’s just do what we have to do.” Jami had the superpower of acceptance. Her faith in God’s plan was unwavering even amid an unfavorable cancer diagnosis. She rarely felt sorry for herself. She knew Jesus prepared a place for her in heaven while her earthly family would be okay until they were reunited again.

She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and teacher.

She is survived by: her loving husband, Jason Murray; her beautiful children Allison and Elliot, her parents; John and Karen (Wikaryasz) Crudden, her siblings, Nicole (Dave) Foster and John (Karen) Crudden and her mother-in-law Gloria (Becker) Murray, nieces Kylee Chojnacki and Katherine Crudden, and nephews Jared Chojnacki and David Crudden. She was also loved by many in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Theodore and Faybelle (St. Onge) Wikaryasz and Bernard and Mary (Barrie) Crudden, and her father-in-law James “Ike” Murray.

Visitation is December 17, 2022 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at Zion Lutheran Harvester Church Saint Charles, Missouri. 3866 S. Old Hwy 94, St Charles, MO 63304. The memorial service will take place at 12:00PM followed by the burial in Zion cemetery. All are welcome.

In order to celebrate her life with one another, a luncheon following the burial will take place in the fellowship hall of Zion Lutheran Church. All are welcome and encouraged to enjoy their time together!

We will eat until the food runs out! We will try to feed you, but if not have a plan B. Please don’t let that stop you from staying and visiting and enjoying the company of friends and family. All truly are welcome.

Photos of Jami, her family, and friends may be found here: https://wemadeafamily.us/

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Evelyn’s Hospice House. Donations can be made online at: https://bit.ly/3BmNoLM (https://www.bjchospice.org/support-hospice). When donating online, direct your gift to Evelyn’s House and enter Jami Murray as the memorial recipient.