Joyce L. Murray, 75, of 523 Kelly Blvd. in Slippery Rock, formerly of Harmony Road in Slippery Rock Township, died at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at United Community Hospital, Grove City.

Born in Orwin, Schuylkill County, Dec. 6, 1929, she was the daughter of Clyde Henry Behney and Lizzie Irene Batdorf,

She received her bachelor's degree in health education from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, a master's degree in guidance and education psychology from the University of Wyoming, did graduate studies in nutrition at Indiana (Pa.) University; and did doctoral studies at West Virginia University.

From 1951-1955, she taught health and physical education at Porter Tower High School in Reinerton, Schuylkill County; and from 1955-1956, she taught at Stroud Union Junior-Senior High School, Stroudsburg. She then was an assistant professor in health education at Slippery Rock University for 23 years and was appointed professor emeritus.

She completed the Marine Corps Women Officer Training Program and retired from Marine Corps Reserves as a first lieutenant. She was a member of the American Legion Frank P. Cheeseman Post in Slippery Rock for 18 years, was vice commander for two years and was the speaker for the 1998 Slippery Rock Memorial Day ceremony.

She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 393 for more than 25 years, during which time, she was first vice president for two years, unit president for five years and historian for two years. She was chairman of the education committee for 18 years and interviewed and selected Slippery Rock High School girls to represent the local chapter at Keystone Girls State.

She was a member the Center Presbyterian Church. She also belonged to the Slippery Rock Area Woman's Club for more than 35 years and served on the following committees: education, program, conservation, auditing, president's special committee, international, legislative, and ways and means. She also was a member and former vice president of the Butler County Federation of Women's Clubs.

She was a volunteer for Slippery Rock Meals-on-Wheels for 21 years and the Feed-My-Sheep Food Cupboard for 14 years; on the Slippery Rock Town-Gown Committee for 15 years and was actively involved with the Red Cross Blood Drive; on the American Heart Association Heart Fund Drive for 13 years; an American Cancer Society block worker for 10 years; chairperson of the Cystic Fibrosis Fund Drive for three years; a volunteer with the March of Dimes for 15 years and served on the board of directors and on the executive committee of its West Central Pennsylvania Chapter.

She represented SRU on the Town-Gown Committee for six years, served on the Alumni Board of Directors at East Stroudsburg State University for three years and was treasurer of the Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and University, Retired Faculty.

She was a member of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for 44 years, served as vice president and president and was currently on the executive committee. She also received the association's highest award, the Elmer B. Cottrell Award. She belonged to the Eastern District Association for HPERD, was vice president and received both the Presidential Award and Professional Honor Award.

Professional colleagues will remember her as Pennsylvania's Madame Potentate of the International Turtle Association. In 1982, she received the Mabel Blythe Town Gown Award; and in 1998, she received the Paul Harris Fellow International Award for Community Service from the Slippery Rock Rotary Club. She was named Butler County Veteran of the Year with House and Senate Recognition for 1999.

Surviving are a daughter, Anne Westbrook of Slippery Rock, a brother, Donald Behney of Camp Hill; a sister, Nancy Bendigo and her husband, Robert, of Little Rock, Ark.; and a grandson, Christopher Westbrook of Slippery Rock. Her former husband, John Murray, of Stroudsburg, also survives.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Behney of Orwin.

MURRAY - A memorial service for Joyce L. Murray, who died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, will be held at 11 a.m. April 16 at Center Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock, with the Rev Dave McCabe officiating. A public committal service will be held at 1 p.m. April 18 at Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery, Orwin.Memorial donations may be made to the Feed May Sheep Food Cupboard, 211 Center St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057; or to Center Presbyterian Church, 211 Center St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057.