Eastlynne Murray

OBITUARY OF EASTLYNNE (Swann) MURRAY

10/26/1934 -1/14/2026

“To Live, Is to Give”

Eastlynne Marjorie (Swann) Murray, 91, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland. Born in San Fernando, on the island of Trinidad on October 26, 1934, the 2nd eldest of seven children of George and Millicent (Moore) Swann, her quiet brilliance was apparent early on. At a time when higher education was available only via competition, Eastlynne won academic exhibition after exhibition, earning scholarships to complete her secondary school education and join the Island Nation’s Civil Service, a rare and prestigious position for a woman of that time.

Married to Daniel Franklin Murray in June of 1962, Eastlynne migrated to the United States, with her infant daughter in 1966, to support her husband in the completion of his college degree.  In 1969, following the couple’s split, Eastlynne, penniless in a strange land, and now with two children and an aging mother in tow, faced her future with unbroken spirit and boarded a bus going anywhere. She landed in Boston, Massachusetts, and began her destiny.

Undaunted, Eastlynne worked three jobs, earned her GED, then received her RN, BSN from Northeastern University while working two jobs. Even so, she had the time and foresight to see to her children’s education, helping them to excel at private school entrance examinations, earn full scholarships, and moving them from dangerous classrooms in the racially volatile times of the early 70’s in South Boston, to idyllic independent private schools in the Boston suburbs.  At the same time, she opened her home to strangers, immigrants and refugees, helping others, as new and desperate as she once was, to find their footing in a new land.  

She ultimately pursued a career in nursing, helping others at their most vulnerable moments, find healing and dignity. Eastlynne’s children watched their mother transform pain into purpose, learning that “resilience” looks like getting up every morning and choosing generosity. She loved her work and took pride in being thorough, delivering quality care, and never cutting corners.  She loved flowers, music, children and mischief and was often photographed holding babies. Her roses and gardens were a glory to behold. 

Eastlynne leaves behind two children and their spouses James & Regine Murray and Ava-Lisa (Murray) Macon-Sommerfeld and Thomas Sommerfeld, three granddaughters, Anna-Lisa (Macon) Vanzo, Sacoria Macon, and Amani Murray-Lompo, one great-grandson, Benjamin Michael Vanzo, two younger siblings, George Swann of Trinidad and Recilla (Swann) Forbes of Tennessee, as well as scores of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors, friends, and friends-come-family through her determined and generous spirit.  A celebration of her life will be held at 10am on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Pikesville International Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4619 Old Court Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208.  Donations may be made to the Maryland Nurse Honor Guard, the Pikesville International SDA Church, or Northeastern University School of Nursing’s 50th Anniversary fund in Eastlynne’s (Class of ‘78) name (a free university donor account must be established to make a memorial gift).

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