|
B. Louise Dr. B. Louise Murray-Reilly, a former Dean of the School of Nursing the University of New Mexico died Friday, November 30, 2007 in Albuquerque. She was 90 years old. Survivors include her nephews, Bruce Harmon of Corvallis, OR and Richard Walker of Scottsdale, AZ; niece, Karen Harmon of Albuquerque; her special friend, Elsie Morosin; and many other friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Theresa Murray; and her three sisters, Mary Francis Parrott, Kathleen Walker, and Eileen Harmon; and two nephews, Daniel "Kim" Harmon and Nick Harmon. Dr. Louise Murray-Reilly was born April 9, 1917 in Portland, OR as the fourth daughter of Neal Vincent and Theresa Lugar Murray. She attended school in Portland and graduated from Grant High School. She continued her education at the University of Portland as a member of its first nursing class. In 1938, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Nursing. In 1950, she received a Master's of Nursing from the University of Washington and in 1962, she was awarded her Doctorate of Education from Columbia University in New York. Prior to coming to New Mexico and UNM in the fall of 1969, Dean Murray-Reilly progressed through the academic ranks to Professor and Director, Maternal and Child Nursing at University of Washington in Seattle, WA. She also held a joint appointment as Instructor and Supervisor of the Pediatric Unit at King County Hospital and Instructor of Nursing at the Child Health Center, University of Washington. She also had experience as a staff nurse and head nurse in both Oregon and California. Her love was the teaching of nursing and being in the classroom with her students. Dr. Murray-Reilly became the Dean of the College of Nursing in the fall of 1969. In an interview before leaving this position, she was asked to name one of the highlights of her career and she replied, "It would have to be the satisfaction of seeing a new nursing facility designed to accommodate an innovative curriculum become a reality." Together she and the Dean William Hadley of the College of Pharmacy were instrumental in procuring funding for the construction of the much needed Nursing and Pharmacy Building which finally become a reality in 1975. Dr. Murray-Reilly served as the Dean of the College of Nursing for seven years. In 1978, following a year sabbatical, Dr. Murray-Reilly returned to her principal love of teaching. She retired as professor emeritus in 1982. Louise was an integral part in the guidance of the Republic of the Philippines in the development of its pediatric nursing program. She published extensively and was a respected member, both locally and nationally, of the nursing community. She was a member of many professional organizations, including Sigma Theta Tu, Gamma Sigma Chapter at the University of New Mexico, American Association of Nursing, the New Mexico Nurses' Association, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Advisory Board for the Rape Crisis Center. After retirement, she met Joseph Reilly and they were married in August 1988. Louise and Joe spent their years together traveling. Joe passed away November 1993. They were very active members of The Church of the Risen Savior. Louise lived at an independent living facility before moving to Montebello on Academy in July 2003. A Mass in her honor will be held Friday, December 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m., at John XXIII, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE. A Celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., at Montebello on Academy, 10500 Academy NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 300, Albuquerque, 87111 or to the Albuquerque Community Foundation, P.O. Box 36960, Albuquerque, 87176-6960. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 505.275.3500 www.frenchmortuary.com
|
