Margaret "Peggy" Murray

Margaret “Peggy” Murray, a longtime Brooklyn resident, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born in Manhattan to Joseph and Josephine (Caiati) Murray and raised in Brooklyn, Margaret was predeceased by her parents and her brother Joseph Patrick Murray, who resided in Pelham. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ann Murray, nieces Maryanne Buechner (Terry) of Hastings-on-Hudson and Eileen Murray (Chris Hatton) of Bloomfield, NJ, nephews James Murray (Sarah) of Larchmont and Patrick Murray (Kimberly Yee) of Ardsley, nine grand-nephews and three grand-nieces.

After attending Lafayette High School, Margaret worked as an administrative assistant for many years. She had a particular talent for typing, a skill that kept her employed in various offices throughout New York City. In 1963, Margaret married Carmine Carrara. After five years, the couple divorced, yet remained close friends until Carmine’s death some years later.

In her spare time, Margaret loved to read, especially mysteries and crime novels. She adored shopping for clothes and shoes, and had a keen eye for fashion. She often took the city bus to get out and about from wherever she happened to live at the time — the house in Gravesend where she grew up, her own garden apartment in a Carroll Gardens brownstone, a rental in Bensonhurst, a studio in a Bay Ridge high-rise. Joseph visited regularly from Pelham, and the pair would often go to lunch at a diner. Holidays were often spent with the extended family.

In 2016, Margaret left Brooklyn for the Westchester Center for Independent Living in Yonkers, where she enjoyed regular ice cream socials but avoided Bingo. She remained in close touch with her brother and his wife; there were dinners out to Tara’s, a favorite Irish pub, and excursions to Empire City Casino, where she’d try her luck at the slots. Margaret joked around a lot, and shared her brother’s wry, sometimes sardonic sense of humor. She had a real sweet tooth, and Tootsie Pops were her favorite treat.

She also loved cats. While still living with her mother in the house where she grew up on West 10th Street, Margaret took in a stray she called Pretty Cat. The painted portrait of the orange tabby that decorated her bedroom walls would always bring a smile to her face.

In December 2024, Margaret moved into Andrus on Hudson in Hastings, where she received excellent care from the diligent nursing staff.

“My sister Peggy taught me everything,” her brother Joseph recalled when asked about their relationship as children. “I don’t remember not being able to read. And every time there was a new math thing — like in fourth grade, there was long division — I already knew it, because my sister had already taught it to me.”

A private service will be held for close family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice in her honor.