Julia (Murray) Casey

HUDSON FALLS – Julia (Murray) Casey passed away on October 8, 2024, at the Fort Hudson

Nursing Center after a long illness. She has been in the very good hands of Fort Hudson for

seven years and the family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care she has received there, particularly in her final days.

Born June 6, 1932, in Burke, New York she was the daughter of the late Leo and Irene (Bush) Murray. She was the third of eight children and was raised in Chateaugay where she graduated from high school. She went on to graduate from Plattsburgh State University with a degree to teach. It was there that she met her lifelong best friend, Anne Casey, who not only helped Julia secure a teaching position at Dix Avenue Elementary School, but also introduced her to her brother, Thomas, who would later become Julia’s husband.

Although vowing never to be a farmer’s wife while growing up, she and Tom settled in Kingsbury, where he owned and operated the family dairy farm. Julia taught fifth grade for several years but gave up the profession to take care of her family and help around the farm whenever needed. Whether it was moving cows, unloading hay, taking calves to auction in the old pickup truck, or making runs for parts to fix equipment, she was always there. And in the midst of such daily activities, Julia would then be sure all those working on the farm had a good breakfast and lunch, even if she had to deliver them in the fields as the guys worked.

After moving into the original Casey farmhouse (‘the farm’), the door was always open and the coffee pot always on for any and all. “As long as you take us as we are,” anyone was always welcome in her home.

Julia enjoyed reading, ceramics and traveling. Whether to Ireland with family on several occasions or to Florida and Wyoming to visit her brothers, she was always ready to go. Most of all, though, Julia loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She could often be seen cheering from the stands during their sporting events. She was an anxious fan and could often be heard yelling if things did not go her grandkids’ way. Julia’s teaching skills returned, as she helped them all with homework whenever needed.

In addition to her parents, Julia is predeceased by her husband, Thomas Patrick Casey, her daughter, Kathleen M. Casey Spear, her brothers, Owen (Myrt), Garth, and Craig Murray; her sisters, Donna, Leta (Ken) Lobdell, and Nina Morgan; sisters-in-law Helen (Robert) McCauley, Patricia Brummagyn, Mary Rose (Joe) LeGault, Anne (Sam) DePalo, Bernadette Mulcahy, Monica Eastman; and brother-in-law, ‘Bubby’ (Kathy) Casey.

She is survived by her children, Maureen (Andrew Mahoney) of Syracuse and Buffalo, and Dennis (Margaret) Casey of Kingsbury; her grandchildren, James (Marissa) Spear, Molly (Robert) Rose, Jillian Casey, Sara (George) Lehoisky, and Sean (Regina) Casey; great grandchildren, Kinsley Lehoisky and Giulia Casey; and Andrew’s sons, Ian (Emily) and Maxwell (Meghan Kelley) Mahoney. Julia is also survived by her brother, Glen (Linda) Murray of Wyoming, sister-in-law, Kris Murray-Mack of Buffalo and brother-in-law, Dee J. Morgan of Chateaugay. Many wonderful nieces and nephews also survive her.

Julia leaves behind a legacy of love, family and faith. She will be deeply missed but is enjoying the reunion with so many who have gone before her.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Catholic Church, on the park in Hudson Falls, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Desmond Rossi, Pastor.

Rite of Committal will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward immediately following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Julia’s name may be made to Fort Hudson Health System Foundation, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, New York 12828 or the CR Wood Cancer Center, 100 Park Street, Pruyn Pavilion, Glens Falls, New York 12801.