Mary ‘Darlene’ (Murphy) McCray

Mary “Darlene” (Murphy) McCray, 95, of Fullerton, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island surrounded by family.

Services will be on Monday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fullerton. Father Paul Colling will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fullerton. Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, from 4-6 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 6 p.m., all at the church. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Darlene was born in Greeley on Feb. 6, 1931, to Clarence and Grace (Nestor) Murphy. Darlene attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1947 at the age of 16, completing her normal training. Following graduation, she spent the next 4 years teaching at rural schools in Nance and Merrick counties and attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the summer for additional coursework. Darlene was a teacher at heart, using her teaching skills as a 4-H leader and with her own children, making up games to learn spelling words and math facts at the kitchen table.

On Oct. 25, 1950, she married the love of her life and dance partner of almost 65 years, Clifford McCray. Soon after, she began her greatest life-long joy and endeavor, that of being a mother. Raising six children on the family farm is not for the faint of heart, but Darlene made it look easy. She was a master at sewing and mending clothes for her children, raising a big garden, canning the produce, butchering chickens, and making jelly, especially her family’s favorite, raspberry-rhubarb jam. She was a phenomenal cook and baker, teaching her children and later, her grandchildren, the art of gravy-making as well as how to create the perfect pie crust.

Darlene was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, where she served as Madame President, several card clubs, and the local bowling league, winning a State Doubles Championship for the Eagles Club. Her hobbies included cake decorating, quilting, painting, and traveling the world with her husband. In the United States, she especially enjoyed scenic wildlife routes in South Dakota, music shows in Branson, and traveling to Disneyland. She was competitive and enjoyed playing card and word games with her children and grandchildren, making sure they earned their wins.

She is survived by her children, Kathy McCray of Doniphan, Michael (MaDonna) McCray of Fullerton, and Diane McCray and Jackie (Keith) Cornelius of Shelton; son-in-law, Paul Stanczyk of Fullerton; 15 grandchildren: Tara, Adam, Jessica, Jana, Sarah, Brooke, Rebecca, Ashley, Andrea, Miranda, Trevor, Jonathan, Michael, Michael Connor, and Kaden; and 24 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; daughters, Linda McCray and Eileen Stanczyk; and sister, Alice Ann Murphy.

Above all else, “family” meant everything to Darlene. She was known by many names, including mom, G-Ma, Grandma, Grammy, Grandma Longways, and Grandma Great. A woman of strong faith and conviction, she led with honesty and integrity and was the epitome of unconditional love. The calm in a storm, she provided encouragement and guidance and a safe place to land when needed. With a zest for life and a great sense of humor, she will be fondly remembered for her mischievous giggle and good-natured teasing of those she loved. Wise. Generous. Classy. Fair. Strong. The family glue. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Rest easy in heaven, Momma…you are Home!