Catherine Murff

Our Mother, Catherine “Cappa” Day Murff passed away on Wednesday March 27, 2013 at the age of 99. She was born in Madisonville Texas on December 2, 1913 to Eula Kilpatrick Day and James McKenzie Day. Mom grew up in Madisonville where she met her future husband, Darrel Lamar Murff. They were married on September 28, 1933. Most of their life together was spent in West University Place in Houston where they raised their family. Cappa was a loving and devoted mother to her four children. She and Dad were long time active members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church where they spent some of their happiest times. When Dad became ill in 1969 they moved to Normangee Texas to be near Mom’s two widowed sisters. Dad died shortly after making the move and Mom had to establish a new life for herself at the relatively young age of 56. As a full time homemaker all her married life, she had little business experience to draw from. She had always loved crafts and had a good eye for beauty. She became the owner of the Flowers and Things Shop in Normangee where her love of people and love of flowers served her community for many years. During that time she lived a full, happy, and independent life. She and her two sisters, Esther Cozart (Ettie) and Margaret Burke (Monti) would take off in the car on drives to Arkansas or even Vermont to look at the leaves. These three widowed “Day girls” were made of tough stuff and had a great time together for many years. Her grandchildren enjoyed her baking skills and a fresh plate of chocolate cookies was always waiting for them when they came to visit. She loved to take them on a “drive in the country to see the deer” as she drove them around the back roads of Normangee. She was so very proud of all of them and rejoiced in their triumphs and mourned their losses but loved them all dearly. Unfortunately following the death of both her sisters, at the age of 90 Mom had a fall that required her to move to St. Joseph’s Manor in Bryan, Texas where she lived the remainder of her life.

Cappa is survived by her children Darrel Murff, Donald Murff, Mary Margaret Johnson, and Stuart Murff as well as 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters, a brother, and two grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided by the nurses and staff of St. Joseph’s Manor as well as Hospice Brazos Valley who watched over and comforted mom in her last few days. We are eternally grateful to Rosemary Mueller who was her guardian angel for many years. Special thanks for caring and kindness go out to her niece Glynda Cozart Smith and special friends Sydney Traylor, Lynda Lys, and Sandra Lea.

The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Normangee on Monday April 1, 2013 at 1:00PM with luncheon at 11:30 and Visitation at 10:30. Burial will be at Hopewell Cemetery next to her beloved husband in Hopewell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Joseph Manor in Bryan, 2333 Manor Way, Bryan TX 77802 or First United Methodist Church in Normangee, 402 Main St, Normangee TX.