After nearly half a century of braving rain, snow, and impatient drivers, one of the neighborhood’s most familiar faces crossed into retirement last week—Mary Murray.
On Wednesday, June 24, Rockaway residents held a surprise send-off parade for Mary Murray who has been the crossing guard at P.S. 114 for nearly 50 years. One of the teachers at the school, Kenneth Wodzanowski, created a flyer to notify the neighborhood of the surprise parade in advance. He asked residents to come “Cheer her on, or even march and show her with signs and sounds that she will be missed.” The flyer was dropped off at The Rockaway Times office and other areas and circulated on school and community Facebook pages.
The surprise sendoff included lawn signs, a chalked message saying “You Will be Missed” on the school and balloons, while a parade led by local fire engines proceeded down Beach 134th Street, followed by the entire student body who greeted Mrs. Murray, thanked her, and presented her with gifts and artwork. At the end of the parade, P.S. 114 principal, Jonathan Halfmann, presented Mrs. Murray with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque commemorating her 50 years of service to the community.
In response to the surprise effort, Mrs. Murray said, “I’m shocked! I had no idea.” Mrs. Murray is a longtime Rockaway resident. She raised seven children in Rockaway and is the proud grandmother of 12 (soon to be 13) grandchildren. Over the years, the job has had its ups and downs, but overall, Murray said it was a well-loved career. “I have had broken bones because of this job. But I love this job,” one that has crossed generations. “There’s a teacher here that I crossed when she was in kindergarten,” Mrs. Murray said, adding that she now helps that teacher’s children cross. The best part of it all? “You say hello to everybody. You wish them good morning. You get a smile, and the day is started,” she said.
On Thursday, as the NYPD manages the NYC School Crossing Guard program, Mrs. Murray was given a retirement party at the 100th Precinct with fellow crossing guards, officers and the 100th Precinct Community Council bidding her farewell.
What does she plan to do now that she’s crossed kids for the last time? Spend more time with children, of course. Mrs. Murray said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her kids, grand kids and great grandkids, including one on the way.
