Obituary of Virginia L. McMurtry

Virginia L. "Ginny" McMurtry, age 83 of Youngstown, died Wednesday June 11, 2014 in Clare Bridge of Niagara in North Tonawanda, after a long illness. Ginny was born February 14, 1931 in Rochester, NY, the daughter of the late Robert and Ruth (Marvin) Downing. She attended local schools in Avon, NY and graduated from Alfred University in 1953 with a degree in Nursing. Ginny married Carl H. McMurtry on June 11, 1955 and they have resided in Youngstown since 1973. She was employed as a School Nurse Practitioner by the Grand Island School District, for 35 years, retiring in 1992. During that time she received her Master's Degree and School Nurse Practitioner Certification from the University of Buffalo in 1981. Ginny was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston; a member of the Youngstown Yacht Club for over thirty years; and former President and member of the Youngstown Civic Guild. A lifelong avid reader, Ginny was a member of numerous book clubs and the Lewiston Study Club. She enjoyed sailing and traveling abroad. She is survived by her husband, Carl; her children, Amy (Francis) Langlois of Issaquah, WA, Karen McMurtry of Rochester, NY, and Paul McMurtry of Seattle, WA; her grandchildren, Molly, Dylan, Marc and Nathalie; and a sister, Betty Courser of Englewood, FL. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 2014 at 2:30 PM in the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, 505 Cayuga St., Lewiston with the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan officiating. Reception to follow service. There will be no prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, we combine Ginny's love of reading and her life's work as a pediatric nurse, and ask that you send donations to the charity Reach Out & Read. www.reachoutandread.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate/. This charity is a nonprofit organization of medical providers who promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.