January 15, 2004

Three Murzynski Endowments Established at SIU Med School

Endowments totaling $300,000 have been established at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to honor two former Springfield residents. Two $100,000 endowments were made in memory of Geraldine Beynon Murzynski and a third in memory of her husband, Theodore Murzynski.

The Geraldine Beynon Murzynski Research in Breast Cancer Endowment will be used for breast cancer research at the Breast Center at the School of Medicine. The Geraldine Beynon Murzynski Pediatric Endowment will be used for medical research and clinical support for the care of sick or injured infants and children being treated in the SIU School of Medicine and St. John's Hospital Children's Miracle Network Clinic.

The Theodore Murzynski Cardiac Research Endowment will be used for cardiac research in the School's internal medicine department.

"Gerry was a very outgoing person, who had lots of friends and loved children, even though she did not have any of her own. Establishing the endowments continues her desire to help people," said Lloyd Beynon of Danville, executor of the Murzynski estate and Geraldine's brother.

Geraldine Murzynski was raised in Divernon and moved to Springfield where she worked as a receptionist at St. John's Hospital for many years until her retirement in 1998. There she learned about Children's Miracle Network (CMN), a non-profit organization that raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across North America. In Springfield, CMN benefits both SIU and St. John's. She died from complications of breast cancer in 2001 at the age of 79.

Theodore Murzynski was an agriculture teacher in Rochester High School. He died in 1958, from heart problems that he had had since childhood.

Additional contributions can be made to any of the funds. Checks should be made payable to the SIU Murzynski Endowment. Contact the SIU Office of Development for more information at P.O. Box 19666, Springfield, IL 62794-9666 or 217-545-2955; toll free 877-435-7776 weekdays or www.siumed.edu/foundation/index.html.

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