Shirley MURRAY Obituary

Her strong faith lives on in her hymns, and continues to inspire and bless

Rest In Peace, you have sit a great Example for the people that are coming in. Thank you

My deepest sympathy to thr FGHT family for the loss of your loved one. I'm going to miss her too.

Thank you Shirley for your gracious and generous creativity. You are much missed

I knew Shirley when I was a student at Papanui Primary School. She was a lovely person and so very kind to me. I have thought of her many times over these years, always with deep affection. I am so sorry to learn of her death.

A great lady and hymn writer who will live on in her songs. A truly great legacy. Neil of Napier

Memories flood in, dear Shirley, from student days in SCM on...And always of your serene, questioning and activist faith. You hold high place in our singing, our following the actions of Jesus... and forever in our hearts.

Tena koe Shirley thankyou for your generous gift of music - especially for the song "Kuhu Mai" which you gifted to the Spiritual Directors and our Retreat in Daily Life team. Your presence lives on as we sing.

Dear Shirley - I have been singing your beautiful hymns for many years, and introduce them regularly to my congregation in Marton. Even though we have never met, you have been part of my life and work and you will leave a space difficult to fill.
You also leave the most valuable and wonderful legacy, that of song which lifts our spirits and accompanies us in joy and sadness.
'Nothing is lost on the breath of God.'
Rest peacefully
Roin

Darling Shirley, your wit, your wisdom, your wonderful generosity of time, talent and funds to Amnesty International is legend. Rest easy knowing you have fought the good fight for so many social justice issues for so many years. Arohanui and condolences to the Murray family. Margaret, Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ

On behalf or the Royal School of Church Music, greatest thanks for the life of Shirley Murray (FRSCM) and condolences to her family, friends and her world-wide fans. Her inspiration through verses and hymns are everlasting treasures in our hearts and minds. RIP.
Dr Robert V Tait, RSCMNZ Nat Sec (Admin)

God speed you on your way Shirley - thank you for gift of your songs to our worship in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Love and hugs to the Murray family.
I was very blessed to spend some precious moments with Shirley in recent years and was uplifting to us both. I will cherish these memories. Lots of Love....

Loving thoughts and hugs to the Murray family.
I was very blessed to have spent precious moments with Shirley and John. A very gifted and inspirational couple.

Talk about a Totara! Nga mihi Shirley, thank you for your incredible contribution to our ability to worship God in Aotearoa New Zealand. Also for you gentleness and humility. Diane Gilliam-Weeks and Reg Weeks

I know Shirley's hymn-writing is one of her greatest contributions to the world but I will miss her beautiful glowing and sparkling face. She was a lovely kind and helpful friend to me when I was in my 20s as a young and uncertain minister's wife and she excelled at making people around her feel at ease and valued. A rare gift. Bless you Shirley - you'll be missed in so many ways.

Blessings and prayers to the Murray family from the congregation at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland. We have many of Shirley's hymns in our repertoire and love them all. On Sunday "Faith has set us on a journey" had already been chosen as our final hymn and it seemed such an appropriate one to sing in her memory.

Thank you Shirley for your amazing legacy of songwriting. As a new Kiwi, I have so appreciate learning some of your songs and being able to express my faith in a kiwi manner. I thank God for the wonderful gift of you!

A group of we Church of the Brethren Clergywomen spent a day with Shirley and John at their home on the shore of the Tasmanian Sea in 2008. What precious memories I have of that visit. Shirley's spirit will live on in our hearts and through the creative hymns she wrote that strengthen our faith as we sing them. My deepest condolences to Shirley's family. Our world has lost a saint of the church.

I had the opportunity to visit with Shirley and John with a small group of Church of the Brethren clergy women over 12 years ago. I will never forget her generosity in sharing with us about our topic of study: "Beauty and Justice" which her hymns embody. She was a jewel, a true gift to the people of God and to the world. She will be missed and forever as her hymns are sung, remembered.

Rev. William and Mary Francis

Much admired world-wide as a poet, lyricist, hymn writer and inspirational, generous, gracious human being. You will live on through your wonderful heritage of verses. RIP Shirley.