Elva (nee Smith) Murray was born on March 12, 1920 in the Rothbury district, the daughter of Thomas and Gudrun (Runa) Smith. Elva was the second child and oldest daughter of seven children. Elva attended Rothbury School and later Pennock when the family moved to that district during the depression. While growing up on the family farm, Elva and her siblings worked hard helping with the cattle, horses, sheep, poultry and the large garden. She learned how to sew, knit and spin. As the eldest girl of the family, Elva learned all of the skills of a marvellous cook. The entire Smith family were very musically talented. All sang, played instruments and the family band played at dances and community events. Elva's mother taught her to play the organ and by the time she was twelve she was the accompanist for singing in school and concerts. At fifteen she began playing the organ in the local Castleton church. When the war began, Elva enlisted in the R.C.A.F. She trained in Rockcliff and Toronto, ON and was then posted to Yorkton and Paulson, MB to work in the administration offices. In 1946, following the death of her father, she applied for discharge from the Air Force. She travelled to Lachine, QC for her discharge and then returned home. Elva found work as a hired girl for neighbours and cooked for threshing gangs. In 1947 Elva married James "Jimmy" Murray and they settled on the Murray farm in the Chatsworth district. They were blessed with four children, Linda, George, Elizabeth "Beth" and Heather. Elva's life was always busy on the farm helping Jimmy with their poultry business. Each year she planted an extensive garden. When something needed to be done she used her various talents for sewing and knitting, restoring furniture and home decorating. No one could preserve, bake and cook like Elva. She created afghans and quilts for her family and took requests for hats, socks and mitts. Elva had a steady role in the community of playing the organ for services, weddings and funerals at the Castleton and the Saltcoats United churches. She helped lead the choirs, was active with the Castleton Ladies Aid and led a C.G.I.T group. Camping and fishing trips as well as Sunday drives with picnics were a pastime that Elva and Jimmy always enjoyed. There were always historic sites to investigate and new sights to see. They spent three winters in Victoria, BC to get away from the snow and enjoy many adventurous areas. Grandma Elva always had time for her grandchildren for a visit or a holiday at the farm. The cookie jar was always full, there were endless bedtime stories and an ever popular game of Scrabble to be played. Jimmy and Elva lived on the farm until 1987 when they moved to Yorkton. Following Jimmy's death in 1996 Elva moved into an apartment and then to the Fairview Arms residence. She very much enjoyed the social life, looked forward to a game of Saskatchewan rummy and played the piano for sing-songs. At age 95 she moved into an assisted living facility and at the time of her passing she resided in the Lakeside Manor Care Home. Until the last few days of her life she played bingo and played the piano. At the age of 97, Elva passed away on March 15, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband, Jimmy; son-in-law, Gordon Herron; parents, Thomas and Runa Smith; brothers, Tommy, Doug, Max and Robbie; sister, Peggy Trowell and sister-in-law, June Smith. Elva will be missed and forever remembered by her sister, Betty Dickson and sister-in-law, Helen Smith; her four children and their children, Linda Herron, daughter Rhonda (Shawn) Bymoen and son, Kelly Herron and Stacey Giblin; George (Laurie) Murray, sons, Jamie Murray and Derrick (Pam) Murray, daughter Lisa (Kurt) Parkin; Beth Murray, son, Aaron Demchuk; Heather (John) Dwyer, sons, Kevin (Nicole) Dwyer, Chris Dwyer and Katie Salapura, Patrick Dwyer and Claire Randall; eleven great-grandchildren, Caylin Bymoen (Lyndin Lewis), Alysa Bymoen, Peyton Herron, Sloane Herron, Wynter Mucha (Zac Morgan), Dustin Murray, Jorja Parkin, Tristan Parkin, Brady Demchuk, Keira Demchuk and Rylee Dwyer as well as numerous nieces, nephews and her many other relatives and friends. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Walter Farquharson presiding. The organist, Ruth Datema, led the congregation and members of the Saltcoats United Church Choir (& Friends) in the singing of the hymns, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore You", "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" and "For the Beauty of the Earth". Soloist, Linda Datema sang, "Amazing Grace" and the choir sang, "The Lord's My Shepherd" as a recessional. A private family cremation committal will take place at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
