JAMI (CRUDDEN) MURRAY

She was born in Alpena on Oct. 17, 1977 to John and Karen (Wikaryasz) Crudden. She attended St. Anne’s School, Alpena High School, and continued her education at Saginaw Valley University and graduating from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a degree in elementary education.

She met Jason Murray through a friend of hers and married on Dec. 19, 1998. The two of them finally settled in St. Charles, Missouri where they raised their two children, Allison and Elliot. Jami taught at Zion Lutheran School in St. Charles for 10 years until metastatic breast cancer forced her to retire. She loved the challenge of teaching the middle school students. She once said that when she opened the door of her classroom, a new experience was always waiting for her on the other side. The last six years of her life, she did not let cancer stop her from enjoying life. The family spent each summer traveling from the east coast to the west coast and every place in between, making many memories with their children.

She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and teacher. She often said the greatest accomplishment of her life was being a mom.

She is survived by her loving husband Jason Murray; her beautiful children Allison and Elliot, her parents John and Karen (Wikaryasz) Crudden, her sister, Nicole (Dave) Foster and brother, John (Karen) Crudden and her mother-in-law Gloria (Becker) Murray, nieces and nephews Kylee Chojnacki and Jared Chojnacki and David Crudden and Katherine Crudden. She was also loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Theodore and Fay (St. Onge) Wikaryasz, Bernard and Mary (Barrie) Crudden, and her father-in-law James (Ike) Murray.

A memorial service and celebration of life took place on Dec. 17, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Harvester Church St. Charles, Missouri where Jami was laid to rest.

In memory of Jami Marie Murray, memorials may be made to Evelyn’s Hospice Care, 1000 North Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, Missouri, 63141.