Elin Lilja Grace (Sigurdson) Murray

Elin Lilja Grace Murray (nee Sigurdson) was the seventh of ten children born to Ingveldur “Inga” Gudjonsson and Sigurjon “John” Sigurdson on Oct. 23, 1930 at Sandy Hook, MB. She was the last of her sibling generation having been predeceased by Sigurjon “Johnny,” Asmunder “Mundy,” Gudrun “Goody,” Haraldur Sveinn “Swanny,” Jodis “Joey,”, Wilfred, Conrad,Thorbjorg Lovisa “Lou” and Elizabeth. She grew up with her large family in the Dirty Thirties when times were extremely difficult for most families in the area. Her father was a skilled fisherman, however, so there was always plenty of fish to eat. Grace often commented about her dislike of fish as she ate so much of it growing up. She did compromise when pickerel cheeks (Icelandic perogies) were available which was often as her friend Mary Isfeld tucked them away in the freezer for her. Mary’s husband was a commercial fisherman and when Grace visited Sandy Hook she usually made a trip to the Isfelds.

Grace’s parents encouraged their children to pursue higher education and instilled within them their love of music, books and literature. She worked diligently at school and was at the top of her class, excelling in mathematics. During this time, she also worked in the community cleaning and doing housework for people who owned summer cottages at Sandy Hook to supplement the family’s income. Mom went on to pursue teaching after completing her education at Gordon Bell High School and attended Normal School in Winnipeg to obtain her Teaching Certificate. She taught early years grades in Flin Flon, Petersfield, Dufferin School in Winnipeg and St. James School. 

It was when she was teaching in Flin Flon that she began seeing Gordon Murray who she would eventually marry July 17, 1954. They resided in Winnipeg, Stonewall, Pinawa and Neepawa during their married life. They completed their family with children Keith Gordon, Paul Wesley and Kristin Patricia. Once Grace and Gordon started their family, she discontinued her professional teaching career which was very common in those days. However, she remained a consummate teacher at her core - a great role model and teacher to her family, Sunday school pupils and Bible Study groups. 

Mom’s faith was a cornerstone of her life and she was active in her church, prayed for family and friends daily and completed daily devotionals. Her faith guided her daily path and decisions.

Grace excelled at being a homemaker, mother and Amma. She was renowned for her cooking and baking skills - especially for her cinnamon buns, bread, turkey dinners and vinatartas. She was proud of her Icelandic heritage and often shared stories of growing up at Sandy Hook with her family, the hardships they endured, adventures with Conrad and Lou, Icelandic cuisine and friends, mother Inga and her devoted dog Minnie and the difficulties her father experienced fishing Lake Winnipeg - especially in the winter. Mom understood Icelandic and spoke it with people of her generation; she shared some basic expressions with her children. Grace made sure that hand knit Icelandic sweaters and mitts were enjoyed by her immediate family - she had a love for sewing and textiles. Many people were recipients of her quilts and related items. 

Mom loved animals and took great pleasure in getting to know all of the new dogs that came into our family. She was an avid dog cuddler and always had a soft spot for the little dogs that were lucky enough to find their way onto her lap.

Grace, Gordon and family spent a lot of their time in the summer at their cottages at Sandy Hook. In 2013, the most recent cottage that the family built was sold - the end of an important family chapter. After Gordon passed away Feb. 6, 2000, Mom chose to sell her large home in Neepawa and move to Wawanesa, MB to be close to Keith, Grace and family as her other two adult children both resided in the USA. She was industrious and made many new friends in the community and was active in the Treesbank Church. She was able to see her grandchildren Kayle, Elin and Mariel often and they regularly had a hot lunch at Amma’s house during the school week. Mom took great pleasure in visits from Kristin (Peter and Phillip) from Virginia and Paul and Alison from California.

She traveled extensively with Gordon when he was alive and on her own to California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Virginia. She eventually chose to move to Rotary Villa in 2015, an assisted living complex in Brandon, enjoyed her time there and made many new friends. Due to declining health, Mom became a resident at the Wawanesa PCH in June, 2020 and resided there until she passed away peacefully in her sleep with dignity and family present on July 8, 2024. Grace received extraordinary, compassionate and loving care from the staff at the PCH and was always interested in them, their families and their interests. She was very happy there and referred to the staff as her second family. 

Grace lived a long, productive, adventurous and love filled life to the very end. She was able to see all of her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren over the last few months. She reminisced with us all, shared her excellent wit/sense of humor and her deep love for us and we were all able to say “I love you Mom/Amma/More Amma “ back. She was able to hear music and messages sent to her in her last few days which she appreciated. Grace was a warm and affectionate person so kisses, hugs and “I love you” were in ample supply. We are grateful for Elin Lilja Grace Murray and who she was. 

Grace is survived by her son Keith (Grace) Murray, son Paul Alison) Murray and daughter Kristin Murray; grandchildren Kayle (Alisha) Murray, Elin (Tanim) Murray, Mariel (Eric) Thiessen, Peter Murray and Phillip Bridges; great grandchildren Isaiah & Lilja Thiessen.  She is also survived by many relatives from her extended family who know her as Aunty Grace or Amma.

The family would like to express our deepest thanks to all of the staff at the Wawanesa PCH, Pastor Garnett, dear friends and extended family for their regular contact with Mom over the years and their recent messages of love and care. 

Matthew 25:23 NIV  His Master replied, “ Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!

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