She has been married to husband Barrie for 58 years and together they have raised three children, and are now enjoying their eight grandchildren. Murray worked in the accounting department at the Shawville hospital for more than 32 years and is now retired.

In the past Murray has been involved with the Shawville Lionettes, has been on the hospital committee, has been a member of the Woman’s United Church group, as well as a leader for a group called the Canadian Girls in Training [a non-denominational Christian organization] and still remembers the pledge for the organization to this day.

Murray was first elected as councillor in 1984 and occupied her position until 1991, then she quit but came back as a councillor between the years of 2009 and 2013.

“I felt I had more to contribute so I decided to run for mayor at the end of that term,” said Murray

She was then elected as mayor in 2013 and remained there for two terms. She had filled out her form to run again for mayor but at the last minute she decided to withdraw her application.

“I had been diagnosed with cancer in September, but still thought I could go ahead with this until I found out my surgery and treatments would be done in Montreal, but then I decided I couldn’t serve the population and be that far away from home. If they were done here, I might have made a different. choice,” she told The Equity.

Reflecting on her years of service, Murray said with a laugh “I thought I could come in and change the world, but then I found out that you have to follow the rules.”

The mayor doesn’t have that much say, he or she can talk and try to sway councillors’ opinions or views on certain things, but does not have a vote unless a tie-breaking vote is needed, according to Murray who said, “The whole time I was there I may have only done that about four times.”

Murray went on to say that the most significant aspect of being a mayor is to listen to the councillors and also to listen to the population of the area you are serving. “That’s very important,” she added.

Murray feels that one of the biggest and constant challenges has been in trying to keep the municipality running efficiently without raising taxes for its ratepayers.

“I feel that Shawville has a well-run municipality and that’s due to the councils that we’ve had and especially to our staff, who work hard to keep everything running smoothly,” she said.

She believes Shawville has many assets that make it a great town and one of her biggest mandates while sitting on council has been the safety of the town’s drinking water.

There have been a lot of maintenance and improvements done to the town’s water pipes and sewage lines, according to Murray who said, “ We have to maintain them, this is one of the most important things for the safety of the citizens,” she added.

“I absolutely loved being mayor and I’m so proud of our municipality, that’s why I got into politics because I love the municipality of Shawville. People have new ideas and suggestions and I’m sure there are more changes that could be made in our municipality for the betterment of our population but I feel that I have contributed to that,” said Murray.

“I’m going to miss it, but I’m sure I’ll be doing something else in the community, I’ve still got something to give,” she concluded.

“Mayor Murray was a good leader, who meant what she said and did what she said she’d do. She did a great job of keeping us on budget and it’s too bad she’s not still running,” said Councillor Keith Harris.

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