Renee M. Murzyn

Irene (Renee) M. Murzyn (89) passed away peacefully on October 17, 2023 with her family lovingly by her side.    

Born September 16, 1934 to Andrew and Elizabeth (Blanar) Ferchak in New Homestead, PA.  Renee was the youngest of 7 siblings: Andrew, Michael, Clement, Mary, Veronica, Elsie, and Martha.  Renee (Tootsie to her family) helped her mother at an early age with cooking and her father with gardening, which she carried with her for life.  She was married at 16 and began her family at 18 and lived most of her adult life in Homestead Park.  She has 3 children Albert, James (Mary) and Sharon.  Renee was proud of all her children and supported each in their life’s endeavors.

Renee completed her GED and put herself through college and received an associate degree while working several jobs and being mother to her two children at home.  Renee began volunteer work for Representative (Senator) Mike Dawida, which turned into a full- time job as a Legislative Aide.   She continued her position with Senator Jay Costa until her retirement.  She helped numerous people, boroughs, and organizations during her many years at her post.  She was very proud of all the good work she did for the district while she worked there.  She went to Mike Dawida’s swearing into office in Harrisburg, PA and while there met Governor Robert Casey and Lt. Governor Mark Singel and got photo ops with both of them.

Renee was a great cook and would prepare Slavish/Polish dishes and pastries especially at Christmas and Easter.  She was an avid canner, which would stretch the garden goodies for months on end.  Renee enjoyed sitting on her back porch, reading a book, or just sitting there having her morning coffee.  Renee was an animal lover and for most of her life had many furry or feathered friends.  That love was passed onto her children.

Renee fulfilled a dream of Hosting an exchange student in 2001.  She provided a home and was a “second” mom to a young lady (15 yrs. old) from Brazil for 6 months.  Renee and Cindy remained in touch for many years after Cindy went back home to Brazil.  Cindy also received the gift of loving of animals from her stay with Renee and is now a veterinarian.  Renee’s granddaughter keeps in touch with Cindy on and off to this day.  

Renee’s Dream vacation was a trip to Hawaii.  Renee and Sharon (daughter) spent a 20-day trip together.  16 days was spent vacationing on Maui along with sight-seeing tours on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii.  Renee so enjoyed the vacation.  Fun was had sight-seeing, going to see the waterfalls, seven sacred pools, black sand beaches, trip up to the top of Haleakala (volcano on Maui), enjoying a luau, a helicopter tour, snorkeling (yes, she did this), going to Pearl Harbor and so much more as well as just hanging out at the beach or pool.  Renee said she would take a hut on one of the beaches on Maui and live there she liked it so much.  As a stop-over on the way to Hawaii, they spent two days in San Francisco touring the city, Fisherman’s Warf and driving down the coast to Half Moon Bay.  On the way home, a second stop-over was spent in Lake Tahoe for a day and the remaining day touring the wine country (Napa Valley).  All and all a trip to remember.     

Renee has three grandchildren: Maura Kathleen (32), James David (30) and Hunter Matthew (10).  She also has four grand-pups (Gizmo, Kodiak, Isabelle, and Sadie) as well as six grand-kitties (Carly, Charlie, Raven, Puss, Elyssa and Zaharah) as well as a small flock grand-ducks and grand-chickens.  She loved each of her grandchildren and grand-pets with all her heart and enjoyed anytime she spent with them.  She watched action movies and cooked with James, listened to music with Maura or just chatted, and played with action figures, coloring books, puzzles, read book to and watched an inconceivable number of cartoons and kids shows with Hunter.  Since she lived with her daughter the last couple of years of her life, she spent much time with Hunter.  Hunter helped with his Mimi’s care by getting her stuff she needed, teaching her how to shoot nerf guns (which she did mostly at her sons with accuracy) and lastly playing a lot of in-house Frisbee. 

Renee is survived by her kitty cat (Molly), three children and daughter-in law, three grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces/nephews.  She will be greatly missed by all.

Family and Friends will be welcomed on Friday, October 27 from 1 - 4 & 6 - 9 PM at the George Irvin Green Funeral Home, Inc, 3511 Main Street, Munhall 15120 (412-461-6394).   A Memorial Mass for Renee will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in St. Therese Church, at 10 AM.  

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that any donations to be made to the Humane Animal Rescue, Pittsburgh or any other animal rescue organization as a final gift in honor of Renee and her love for animals.