Woman ‘Cats Just Seemed to Find’ Leaves $106,500 Gift to Animal Shelter

A longtime Royal Oak resident described by friends as someone “cats just seemed to find” has bequeathed nearly $106,500 to support the Royal Oak Animal Shelter, according to a news release from the city of Royal Oak.

Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue said the gift from the estate of Loismae Murray will be used to make improvements to the shelter, located at 1515 N. Edgeworth Ave., after a steady decline of donations over recent months created serious budget problems.

“This generous gift certainly helps and will be used to assure the shelter is better than ever,” O’Donohue said.

Murray died in 2012 at the age of 82. She and her late husband, Conrad, met at Michigan Bell, where both worked. Though they did not have children, they sometimes cared for up to five cats at a time.

“Cats just seemed to find her,” said her friend and neighbor, Marlene Attridge.

Other friends described her as a private person with a lovely personality.

City officials said Murray’s gift is an opportunity to remind Royal Oak residents of the many opportunities to make donations, finance sponsorships and take part in other memorial programs. You can find them here.