'Irish Annie,' supporter of many charities, dies at 43

Hundreds of mourners poured into Walker Funeral Home in Merrick on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20 and 21, to pay their final respects to long-time Merokean Anne Murray.

"Kind," selfless," "loyal," charitable," "stubborn" and "funny" were a few of the words used by friends and family to describe her after hearing of her sudden death on Monday, Feb. 15. She was 43. The cause of her death is still pending.

For almost 20 years, "Irish Annie" poured drinks for customers who poured their hearts out to her, first in Club 50, now known as Shamrocks, and later at Menna's. Bewildered friends piled into both bars as news of her death spread. "I've never seen so many grown men crying openly," said co-worker and 'adoptive mom' Terry Menna. Long-time friend Majella Hesse summed up how Annie felt about working as a bartender: "She told me that she wasn't just serving drinks; she was serving a purpose. She felt her customers needed someone to listen to them at the end of a hard day."

Murray was known for giving "friendship" plaques and pillows that adorn many of her friends' homes. "Mine is called 'The Miracle of Friendship," said Debbie Fagan. "The miracle for her friends is that we got to have her in our lives at all." She was also was fond of angels, and an extensive collection was displayed throughout her home. "May she forever rest in peace in the arms of the angels she so cherished," was written on Annie's Legacy.com guestbook.

She was born Anne Marie Kenna in Ireland on April 2, 1966, and decided as a young woman to leave the country she loved for the man she loved. She and Brian Murray were married at Salisbury on the Green in Eisenhower Park on Sept. 15, 1991, and built a life together in Merrick. "Annie was a shining star who gave all she had for her friends, family and the causes that meant so much to her," said Brian, who was proud of her "tireless work" on behalf of breast cancer, St. Jude's Hospital, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and the Association for Children with Down Syndrome.

"Years ago, Annie overheard us planning a fund-raising dinner for ACDS," said Danny Robinson, a former Bellmore Herald Person of the Year. "She also raised thousands of dollars for the annual Breast Cancer Walk and various charities sponsored by the local police. "Annie was the first person you went to when you wanted to raise money for charity," said retired police officer Jim Peterson from the 7th Precinct.

For her siblings, Annie will be remembered as a giving, loving sister. "Annie was a gift put into our hands that we didn't see until it was taken away. We will cherish her in our hearts forever. She gave so much to each of us, and we are all honored to have been her sister," they said in a collective statement to the Herald. "Annie never realized that she touched so many lives, a fact that became obvious by the number of people who showed up at her wake and funeral. We were blessed to have known her," added her cousin Geraldine O'Shea.

Murray is survived by her husband, Brian Murray; sisters, Bernadette Connell of Oceanside, Treasa Jones and Sheila Murphy; brother, Sean Kenna; brothers-in-law, Patrick and Paul; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and stepchildren, Brian, Sean and Kim Murray. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Curé of Ars Roman Catholic Church, and burial was at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. In lieu of plants or flowers, the family asks that donations be made to her favorite charities.

Comments about this obituary? Sbrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.