2008 Honoree
The Art for the Cure Committee is proud to announce
Barbara Murray as our 2008 Honoree!
Attempting to interview an individual about their life is quite a challenge when you are speaking to someone as humble as Barbara Murray. Unless you are family or a very close friend, you probably don’t know her as well as you think you do.
Barbara was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She graduated in the top of her class from Cheyenne High School and attended the University of Wyoming graduating in 1953 with a BS in Medical Technology. During these years, she encompassed the perfect balance of intelligence, beauty, and athleticism. She was a cheerleader in high school, an active member of her college sorority, and can add “University of Wyoming Homecoming Royalty” to her list of many accomplishments.
Barbara married Ned Murray in October of 1953. They always wanted a big family and they were blessed with 8 children: Beth, Laura, Kathleen, Eddie, Julie, Mary, Christopher and Amy. While visiting with her children, stories of funny childhood memories, lessons of patience, understanding, creativity, and love were expressed. To quote a few, “She was really so much fun and nonconventional. It was simply magical.; We all felt we were her favorite. She is wise, selfless, giving, nurturing, caring, and compassionate. She sees the good in everyone.” Her children describe her as “a force”. As women, she taught her daughters femininity---the strength of a woman and the strength of mothering. She instilled in her children that you can never impact anyone the way you can impact a child.
After 47 wonderful years together, Barbara lost Ned to cancer in March of 2000. It was only 60 days later that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Overwhelmed by her given situation Barbara learned, “God protects you during the bad times of your life.” Her faith carried her through and she relinquished all to her belief in God. Barbara has never done anything without being fully aware of her choices. With the extraordinary help of her children, she was handed a diagnosis and began the journey of navigating the health system and making educated decisions. As a 69 year old woman being diagnosed with breast cancer, the thought of losing one’s breast may not be an emotional priority. After a lumpectomy failed to remove all the cancer cells, she decided to have a mastectomy. She feels deep gratitude to the medical profession for their guidance and care during this decision making process.
Barbara has given up her love for tennis but remains active in her church, civic league, Right to Life of Laramie County, various charitable organizations, and is an avid traveler and antique collector and proud grandmother of 28 grandchildren. Not long after losing Ned, she was handed an envelope by her hair dresser, Deb Witte, and told to take it to LCCC and hand it to the registrar. It was an enrollment form placing her in advanced oil painting. Not only has she discovered a love of painting but has developed cherished friendships with those in her class, or as they call it: “The Senior Day Care Center”. Barbara states, “The class has been an absolute gift to me. I would have never thought of returning to school and the therapeutic value has been a blessing.”
As a breast cancer survivor and artist, it is no wonder that Barbara Murray has been chosen as this year’s Art for the Cure honoree. She exemplifies beauty and strength and defines the word “woman” as we know it. Please join us on April 11th in honoring one who has always put others ahead of herself and whose many facets make her an extraordinary survivor.