Molly JoeAnn Murray, respected journalist
Southern Delaware native and longtime journalist, Molly JoeAnn Murray, 61, of Lewes, passed away, Monday, July 17, 2017, at Christiana Hospital, due to pancreatitis.
Molly was born May 9, 1956, in Dover, to Thomas Worth Murray and Nancy Louise Scarborough Murray. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Beaver College - now Arcadia University, and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
A lover of words and the sea, Molly was a journalist for nearly 40 years, working predominantly as an environmental reporter for the Delaware News Journal. Small in stature and voice, her impact on the Delmarva Peninsula and environmental reporting was large. She was passionate about the environment, fairness, objectivity, and the towns and people of Sussex County whose stories she told in the newspaper. She made reporting fun for those she worked with. Recently, she lent her insights to English, writing and journalism students at Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College, where her immense experience was able to shape the next generation of storytellers and communicators.
An avid sailor and racing competitor, Molly was a devoted member of the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, a past commodore and member of the board of directors. She served on the board of directors for Bethel Cemetery and was the treasurer. Molly loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her daughter Halie and partner Rob. Known for her Irish sense of humor, Molly enjoyed gardening, hummingbirds and feeding them, sewing, cooking, reading, photography and jewelry making.
Molly was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas W. Murray III.
She is survived by her daughter, Halie Emerson Murray-Davis of Lewes; longtime partner, Glenn Robert "Rob" Davis of Lewes; parents, Thomas and Nancy Murray of Dover; and brother John Murray and his wife Debbie of Dover.
Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 22, at the Presbyterian Church of Dover, 54 S. State St., Dover. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to service time. Interment will be in the Old Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Dover, to follow the service.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, and Delaware Wild Lands.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.
