GUILDERLAND — Marie Heiser Murray, who defined herself as a wife and mother, was active in the Guilderland community.

She died on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 at Ellis Hospital. She was 83.

Born on Oct. 1, 1930 to Stephen and Ann Gledhill Heiser, she was raised in Amsterdam, N.Y. and attended junior college in Massachusetts.

She married Richard R. Murray on Sept. 1, 1951. Their union lasted 44 years, ending only with his death. They proudly built their home together and lived at 4 Bossi Lane in Guilderland where Mrs. Murray stayed until June 2012, when she took up residence at Atria Crossgate in Albany.

Over the years, she had many loyal and loving canine companions. The town’s animal shelter is named after her husband, who served as a Guilderland councilman.

Mrs. Murray was a member of Lynnwood Reformed Church, owned a ceramic studio for several years, and was a member and past president of the Hammond Organ Society.

She was also an emergency medical technician, board member, and life member of the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Louis Pfaffenbach; her son and daughter-in-law, James and Alice Murray; and four grandchildren, Carrie and Luke Pfaffenbach and Stephen and Kathleen Murray.

Calling hours will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home at 5216 Western Turnpike (Route 20) in Guilderland.

Funeral services will begin on Saturday, 9 a.m. at the Lynnwood Reformed Church at 3714 Carman Rd. in Guilderland.

Burial will follow the services at Fairview Cemetery in Amsterdam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard R. Murray Animal Shelter, care of the Guilderland Animal Hospital, Dr. Michael Casler, RD 2, Mc Cormacks Corners, Altamont, NY 12009 or to the American Theater Organ Society, Hudson Mohawk Chapter, care of Proctors Theater, 432 State St. Schenectady, NY, 12305.