Florence Gaither Murray

florence  murray

June 1, 1924 ~ April 7, 2024

Born in: Norfolk, VA.
Resided in: Lake Ridge, VA.

Florence was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. Following in her father’s footsteps, she was a natural entertainer and saw making people laugh as one of her highest goals. She was also a devoted fashionista from the start, and studied design at the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York after she graduated from high school.

Her bent for entertainment led her to acting and the theatre. She had roles in “The Common Glory,” “The Madwoman of Chaillot,” and other theatre productions. But her true genius was as a director of school plays – she could whip 25 fifth graders into place and have them hanging on her every word. Later in her life, she put on community productions of “Fashions of Yesteryear” while she lived in Great Falls. After moving to Westminster at Lakeridge in 2000, she still came up with ways to entertain, including the Jokesters and annual Easter Hat Parade.

No one loved a party more than Florence. When she lived in Sandy Spring, MD in an enormous house with a yard to match, she hosted huge parties for the area AFS students and their host families. Halloween was her favorite holiday and that usually included some sort of elaborate festivity as well. She continued to host parties well into her 90s.

She was married for 65 years to William Wallace Murray, who passed in 2018. She is survived by her children, C.K., Caprice and Jamie, and by her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In keeping with Florence’s joie de vivre, there will be a Celebration of Life for her on June 1 – her birthday – at 2 pm in the Potomac Room at Westminster Lakeridge.

Services

Celebration of Life: June 1, 2024 2:00 pm

Room: Potomac Room

Westminster of Lake Ridge
12191 Clipper Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22192

703-496-3469

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. We love you and may you forever rest in peace our beautiful Lady Florence:). ❤️🕯️

  2. What amazing woman and mentor for how to age with style and joy. We were so very fortunate to have her added to our lives and those of our family. Her Joie de Vivre will live on in our hearts and minds, for sure.

  3. Florence Gaither Murray was known by many names – Chloe, Gatie, Gorgeous Flo, Poncie, and more that I just can’t bring to mind right now. She was one of a kind though and will be remembered and missed by those who knew her.

  4. There is a photo of Florence in dictionary under the word sui generis. There has never been any one quite like her. She was smart; a quick study; an excellent judge of character; she did not suffer fools gladly; she was stunningly attractive; had an absolutely marvelous sense of humour; she was devoted to all those she loved, of whom there was an untold number. She lived the hell out of her 99 years and 10 months. She set the bar very high for all those who survive her.


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