Skip to content

Helpers Among Us - Lucille Murray lights up Winchester

Lucille Murray raises money to light up Winchester with the “Lights of Love” - and also makes a personal donation for the Altar lights and trees at St. Eulalia’s Church during the holiday season as well. COURTESY PHOTO

Table of Contents

This past holiday season, downtown trees were covered in lights and many residents might have thought the town pays for them. 

But in fact, Squire Road resident Lucille Murray raised funds and bought them in 2004 to cheer up Winchester’s children.

PHOTO COURTESY LUCILLE MURRAY

“My 10-year-old daughter Marie Camille died from cystic fibrosis and several children were killed in car accidents,” Murray says. “I decided to raise money through my ‘Lights of Love’ 501(c)(3) non-profit. People were very generous.”

The Cummings Foundation is the biggest donor, she explains, and she got a discount on the lights from Mahoney’s. 

“Last year, all the lights dimmed,” she says, “and we had to replace the strings for $12,000. And we do the wreaths on the lampposts, too. Last year we had to bring them up to code by grounding them and that cost $20,000.”

The Public Works Department puts the decorations up and stores the wreaths after the season’s over. 

Lucille raises money to support the “Lights of Love” through a holiday mailing every year and is most grateful for donations of any amount.  All donations made out to the “Lights of Love” go completely to the “Lights of Love.” 

Lucille says, “Without our resident donations and the support of the Cummings Foundation - Mahoney’s Rock Ledge Garden and the Winchester DPW - the Lights of Love would not be possible.” The Winchester Chamber of Commerce partnered with the “Lights of Love” in 2016 and the Chamber helps support the “Lights of Love.”

“Residents liked the look so much,” she says, “that the town keeps the lights up all year.”

And the Christmas trees and lights on the altar at St. Eulalia’s Church on Ridge Street are also a gift from Lucille and her husband Paul.  They set them up each year, and this year The Rev. Valanarasu Newton-Williamraj helped. 

“He said he’d love to do it if we told him what to do,” she says.

PHOTO COURTESY LUCILLE MURRAY

Pastoral Associate Louise Cocuzzo says, “We’re so grateful for Lucille’s generosity, a lovely way to beautify our church at Christmas time.”

Murray is also on the Board for an annual fundraiser for St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

“The lights don’t have a cure,” she says, “that’s what our hospitals are looking for – but - for all children, lights give love and peace – and -  for the families, this is a ‘mental cure’ that you can’t buy.”

Winchester News is a non-profit organization supported by our community. If you appreciate having local Winchester news, please donate to support our work, and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

Latest

Network for Social Justice receives 3-year grant from Cummings Foundation

Network for Social Justice receives 3-year grant from Cummings Foundation

The following was submitted by the Network for Social Justice: The Network for Social Justice is proud to announce it was recently awarded a three-year, $120,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation as part of its highly competitive $30 Million Grant Program. The Network is one of 125 Massachusetts-based nonprofits

MEET THE ARTIST:  Kristine Kamikawa

MEET THE ARTIST: Kristine Kamikawa

After spending 30 years as a graphic designer, Kristine Kamikawa got “tired of being at a PC all day,” so five years ago she took a painting class at Rubini Art.  “I loved it!” she exclaims during a recent interview. Kamikawa says she sold some of her work at a

Grand opening, ribbon cutting of McDonald, Leonard fields

Grand opening, ribbon cutting of McDonald, Leonard fields

The following was submitted by the Winchester Select Board: On Monday, June 23, the Winchester Select Board invites the community to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies of McDonald Field and Leonard Field. The ribbon on McDonald Field will be cut at 5:30 p.m. with Leonard

  Subscribe