A Champion for Justice, A Voice for the Voiceless
Our community has lost one of its bravest and most steadfast advocates. Wilhelmina (“Mina”) Murray passed away this month, leaving behind a legacy of courage, clarity, and uncompromising commitment to individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Her absence is felt deeply by all of us who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Mina was not simply a member of the Saving Wrentham and Hogan Alliance. She was one of its moral anchors. Many parents are afraid to speak up, fearing retaliation or backlash.
Mina refused to be intimidated. She stood up to the bullies, spoke truth to power, and insisted that the Commonwealth confront the realities facing high‑acuity individuals. Her words were so compelling that they are quoted in our cost analysis, a testament to her insight and her willingness to say what others only whispered. You will find Mina’s quote on page 18 of Hidden in Plain Sight: The True Cost of IDD Services in Massachusetts and the Case for Restoring Choice.
Even in her final months, Mina continued to fight. She fought for her son Dean. She fought for every family who felt powerless. She fought for a system that too often fails the people who need it most. And she fought until the very end.
Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts and in our work. There are moments when those of us still instinctively reach for her email address to ask her opinion on a strategy or a policy question. That instinct is its own kind of tribute, a reminder of how deeply we relied on her wisdom and how much she shaped our path forward.
Mina’s legacy will continue in the work she believed in so fiercely. We will carry her voice with us as we push for the reforms she knew were necessary. We will honor her by refusing to be silent. And we will remember her not only as an advocate, but as a mother, a colleague, and a friend whose courage strengthened us all.
To share your own memories or condolences, please visit her guestbook.
Mina’s funeral service will be held on: Saturday, March 14th 2:00 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. For more information, click here.
May her memory be a blessing – and a call to action.