Obituary of Gretchen Ann Murray

Gretchen Ann Roberts Murray was born in San Diego, CA on October 8, 1973 to Lise Dee Roberts Rauzi and Shannon Bruce Roberts. She transitioned from this life to the next on April 19, 2017 after a hard fought battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Martin Murray; her children, Jack and Elise; her mother, Lise Rauzi (Johnny); her father, Shannon Roberts; her brother, Kyle Shannon Roberts (Kimberly); her grandmothers, Betty Lou Minor and Phyllis Ann Roberts along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Dan's and Gretchen's families, large and loving, together with many friends, will be by Dan, Jack and Elise's sides as they traverse this life.
Gretchen was a Master Teacher. She came to this point in her life after graduating from the University of Utah with a Bachelors and the University of Phoenix in San Diego, CA with her Master's in Education. She launched her career with a challenging teaching post in an impoverished school district in Oceanside, CA for 3 years before returning to Utah. While in CA, the University of Phoenix recruited Gretchen to teach teachers which she continued to do in Utah. After teaching a year in West Point, she taught 5th grade for several years at the Madeline Choir School which was a special environment filled with wonderful, caring people who enriched her life. She taught at both Sunrise and Peruvian Park Elementary Schools in the Canyons School District most recently. While she considered all the school communities in which she taught to be her extended family, the Peruvian Park extended family was especially dear to her. In 2016, Gretchen received honors as the Peruvian Park Teacher of the Year, Canyons School District Teacher of the Year and 2rd runner up for Utah State Teacher of the Year.
Gretchen believed that teaching was not just about learning information. Her goal was to teach the whole person. The Eight Keys of Excellence, which she learned early in her teaching career from Quantum Learning, were her central guiding themes. More than just professional tools, she took them to heart and lived them: "This Is It!" so focus on and make the most of the present as this is all that really counts; act with integrity; speak with good purpose; embrace failure and learn from it; take ownership of your actions; demonstrate commitment; allow for flexibility; and, strive for balance with mindful consideration of yourself and others as you make your choices about how to spend your time and energy - focusing on what is most meaningful and fulfilling.
Gretchen was kind, patient and full of love for her family, friends and acquaintances. She was not proud of her own accomplishments so much as of helping someone else to accomplish. She was smart, funny and determined. She listened intently, both for what a person was saying and for who the person was being in that moment. Her greatest love and dedication was and will always be for her children, Jack and Elise.
Gretchen's heartfelt thanks, along with the family's, go to Dr. Lamia Boric, the staff and infusion team at Utah Cancer Specialists for their kind, generous care and their ability to make Gretchen smile and laugh at a difficult time. She and her family are also very grateful for the same kind of care received at the Huntsman Cancer Institute by Dr. Norah Henry, the nurses and research staff who did everything they could to help her in her final battle with cancer. Our grateful thanks also are extended to Community Nursing Services Hospice Care for the attentive and efficient care and guidance provided. Michelle, you were an angel.
Per Gretchen's wishes, no funeral is planned. She preferred that a Celebration of Life event be held. This will take place on May 17, 2017 from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Peruvian Park Elementary School, 1545 East 8425 South, Sandy, UT 84093. Gretchen and Dan's personal families, friends and extended school communities are more than welcome to join in the celebration of her life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate at: www.aqualitylife.org. This is a charitable Utah foundation that sponsors wonderful activities for breast cancer patients which enrich their lives and their family's lives. Gretchen and her family were beneficiaries of some of these life enriching activites.