Mary Catherine Murray

Mary Catherine "Cathy" Murray was born February 20, 1970 in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Marvin and Grace (Miller) Slaubaugh. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1988 and from the University of Iowa with a degree in art and design. On August 14, 1993 she was united in marriage to Don Murray in Iowa City. They lived in Columbus, Wisconsin for 5 years before moving to rural Parnell. Cathy was a para educator at Mary Welsh Elementary in Williamsburg, where she found great reward in helping children thrive and learn. As a result of the joy she got from her work she was currently pursuing a degree in teaching. Cathy and Don owned and operated Claim to Frame for 10 years, before taking up teaching full-time. She also volunteered at Safe Haven of Iowa County. Few things in life brought her more happiness than finding new homes for her dozens of foster puppies and dogs. Cathy died on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City at the age of 44 after a brief and valiant struggle against vasculitis.

Cathy is survived by her husband Don; two sons: Marvyn Reece Murray and Maxwell Vincent Murray of Parnell, whom she loved to the moon and back; her mother Grace Slaubaugh of Kalona; and a brother Kenton J. Slaubaugh of Lawrence, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her father Marvin Slaubaugh.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Pastor Martha Yoder will officiate. Visitation will be held from 3-6 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Powell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Max and Reece Murray Education Fund and Safe Haven of Iowa County.