Irma M. Murat

Irma (Pomper) Murat, long time resident of New Jersey, and resident of Mountain Valley Manor in Kingston, New York for the past three years, died at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, N.Y. on Thursday, 15 December. She was 91. Irma was born in Clifton, New Jersey, on 23 May 1920 to Austrian immigrant parents, Stephan and Mary (Toth) Pomper. She was predeceased by her older sister Mary, who died at a very young age of scarlet fever; in 1993 by her husband, Harold Murat, a Purple Heart awarded veteran of World War II; and in 1994 by her eldest daughter, Joyce Piper, a world renown epidemiologist. She is survived by her daughter Janet Demuth, a retired registered nurse. Irma was extremely proud of her family, and is also survived by three grandchildren: Cheryl Demuth (Founder of and Educator at Livingston Street Early Childhood Community) and her husband, Tim Weidemann; Franklin Demuth (computer programmer and yoga instructor); and Peter Demuth (photography and graphic design technician for SUNY New Paltz and award winning photographer) and his longtime partner, Peg Bauer.


In addition to raising two children, Irma worked in retail sales and also as a comptometer operator, a source of great pride for her. She was very fond of telling stories about her youth; a particular favorite was the time she rode in a rumble seat in her teen years with one of her suitors. Irma grew up on Knapp Avenue in Clifton, and during her childhood she spent many happy hours roller skating thoughout the neighborhood. She also spoke of being sent, as a child, to the corner bar for a pitcher of beer for her father, in a time before alcohol age restrictions or open container laws. At age 18, she got her first job in Manhattan, earning $18 per week. She married Harold Murat on 1 December 1945 after he was discharged from hospital following World War II, and they raised their two daughters in Wyckoff, N.J., after moving there from East Paterson, N.J. Irma also lived, briefly, in Forked River, N.J. She lived in Lakehurst, N.J., for approximately sixteen years prior to moving to an assisted living facility in Catskill, N.Y.


A devout Catholic, Irma was a former member of Holy Trinity Church in Passaic, N.J. and St. Elizabeth's in Wyckoff, as well as several other Catholic churches. To her final hours, she continued to be deeply concerned with the welfare of others, especially those she loved. She was kind and generous, always trying to help others in any way possible. Irma will also be remembered for her terrific sense of humor, her remarkable tolerance for the juvenile antics of her grown grandchildren, and her surprising affinity for German drinking songs. Often, in moments of great excitement or happiness, she would say, "I can't stand it!" to the great amusement of anyone within earshot.


Entrusted to the care of Luke Keyser of A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave, Kingston, NY 12401. A mass will take place on Monday, 19 December at 12:00 PM at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Wall Street, Kingston.


In her memory, the family requests that those who knew and loved Irma to continue to pass on her thoughtfulness and kindness to others. If desired, contributions in her memory can be made to either the Muscular Dystrophy Association or any other organization that seems fitting.