Lydia Jeanette Murray

Lydia Jeanette Foreman Murray was born on February 11, 1943, in Pilot Point, Texas. She was the only child of Rev J.N. and Mary Foreman, adopted when she was three weeks old. She graduated from Huntsville High School in Texas and went on to Baylor School of Nursing in Dallas, Texas. Lydia graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and completed her Registered Nurse certification in 1963. She served in the US Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War from 1963 - 1965. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Wyatt Murray in 1965. They had three children: Krista Diane, Joseph Todd, and Robert Matthew.

Lydia’s 40+ year career as a registered nurse included emergency health, hospital care, pediatric oncology, community health, surgical nurse, home health and more. She was gifted and respected among her peers. She was small in stature but always had a big heart when it came to caring for others. For many years, she worked the night shift so that she could be home with her children during the day, taking them to and from school and was always present at her kid’s many activities. She was Krista, Todd and Matt’s number one fan and cheerleader. Lydia retired in 2004. The consummate caregiver, Lydia took care of her husband for many years after he was diagnosed with dementia.

Bob and Lydia moved from Seabrook, Texas in 2012 and settled in Frisco Lakes Retirement Community in Frisco, Texas. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2015.

After her husband’s passing in 2016 and her youngest son’s (Matt) passing in 2018, Lydia’s health began to decline. She was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in 2019. She lived at Saddlebrook Oxford Memory Care Community until her death.

Lydia was an accomplished pianist. Her hobbies included playing bridge, gardening, shopping (she was well known for ability to find the “perfect” gift for those she loved!), enjoying wine and breakfast club with her closest friends, singing in the church choir, volunteering at her church and she loved to plan and decorate for themed parties! She loved cats, Elvis, country music and dancing. Lydia loved spending time with her grandchildren, always making them feel loved and valued. She was an avid coffee addict and loved all salty snacks. Especially Lays chips and ketchup sandwiches!

More than anything, Lydia cherished spending time with her family! She leaves behind a family who looks forward to seeing her once again in heaven: daughter, Krista, and son-in-law, Chris; son, Todd, and daughter-in-law, Gracie; daughter-in-law, Pam, and her pride and joy, eight grandchildren - Meagan, Zach, Connor, Cade, Cash, Chloe, Meredith and Elizabeth, and three great-grandchildren – Reed, Harrison and Blakely.

A celebration of life service will take place Friday, August 2, 2024 at 10:00am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (4000 Midway Road, Carrollton, TX). A reception will immediately follow the service. Lydia’s ashes will be buried at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in memory of Lydia to the Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University at https://nursing.baylor.edu/give.

Thank you to the family, friends and co-workers who loved Lydia so well during her lifetime! A special thank you to Pastor Sabir Bashir and the care ministry at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for blessing Lydia and her family with your visits, prayers and communion. Thank you to the nurses, caregivers and staff at Saddlebrook Oxford Frisco and Reliant at Home Hospice for supporting Lydia during her journey with dementia.