Carol A. Murray

Carol Anne Murray, 68, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and formerly of Hightstown, NJ, died peacefully on March 29 at home surrounded by her family. A loving wife, devoted mother and loyal friend, she will be remembered for her unwavering positive attitude, inexhaustible energy and her zest for making the world a better place. Carol was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Kendall. She was raised in central NJ and graduated from Hightstown High School before earning a bachelor’s degree from Douglass College. She married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence (Larry) Murray, in Princeton, NJ in 1968 and for the next 46 years each remained the other’s steadfast champion. They had two children, Julie and Jesse, and raised them in Hightstown, NJ. She believed nothing was more important than family and dedicated herself to organizing family reunions, hosting holiday gatherings and never forgetting a birthday or special occasion. Carol also worked outside the home for more than 20 years, lending her talents for organization and problem solving to Corporate America, forming many friendships along the way. After retirement in 2007, Carol realized her dream of having a “beach house” when she and Larry moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC. Carol embraced her new community, joining the neighborhood HOA finance committee and serving as the president of the women’s golf league at Charleston National. Carol’s enthusiasm for the game of golf was contagious, and over birdies, bogeys and cosmos, she quickly formed friendships with the women who came to be known lovingly as her “golf buds.” When diagnosed with cancer in 2012, Carol waged a war on the disease in the way she approached all things in life -- with tenacity, optimism and courage. Not only did she fight relentlessly for her own survival, but she used her experience as a platform to advocate for the prevention of cancer and survival of others. Vowing to “never give up,” she traveled to MD Anderson to pursue experimental treatments when conventional ones failed, knowing that regardless of the outcome, her trials could ultimately help others. Carol’s fighting spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband, Larry; her daughter Julie Croce (Mike); her grandchildren Dylan and Isabella Croce, and her son Jesse (Allison). Family and friends will gather Monday, April 6, 2015 from 10:30 to 11:00 AM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant Chapel, where a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM. Father Vincent Maroun officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://gifts.mdanderson.org Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com.