Obituary of Janice Earleen Murray

Our Beloved Angel, Janice Brickhouse-Murray passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones, at Yale-New Haven Hospital on May 5, 2024. She fought the good fight until The Lord called on his Mighty Soldier to Rest! Janice was born in Eastville Virginia, September 21, 1959, to the Late Mary Brickhouse-Newton and Lonnie Robinson - Stepfather, Sigby (Gene) Newton raised and loved her as his own. Janice grew up in Norwalk, CT amongst her many cousins and friends which is where she eventually met the Love of her life – William (New York Henry) Murray. Janice and William were inseparable and went on to marry in August 1995. We all could see the amazing love they shared through the many photos, videos and most of all, the matching outfits! Later in her life, she went on to earn her GED and graduated from The Gateway Community College in New Haven. She was very proud of this achievement since she was steadily learning and preparing herself to succeed in fulfilling her ultimate dream. Janice worked at the APT Foundation for 7 years as a Women Recovery Specialist. She truly enjoyed her work in helping women in recovery and frequently bragged on the women’s success and how far they came. She shared their joys and sometimes their failures – but never gave up on them. Janice was a special soul – genuinely created for this mission. Not because of her past experiences, but because of her Heart. She “loved on” people with a spirt that you could feel. She gave hope to the hopeless, she gave strength to the weak, she made the desperate believe in themselves and truly deposited her spirit in others. When she wasn’t helping her community with fundraisers and giveaways, she found time to “love on” her family. Hanging out with her family and friends was always enjoyable to her – but she especially loved hanging with them “Brickhouse Boys” – Kenny Jr. and Kash! They kept her young and she loved it! Taking them out to eat, goofing around and making videos is what made them all happy! Any other extra time was spent with her Little Sister Sonia – Searching for a Good Bingo Game – She was sure she would hit that big Bingo pot one day! Janice served as Executive Director of New Lifestyles Women Empowerment and Transitional Living In 2009, Janice established New Lifestyles Transitional Housing for Women Inc. As the Executive Director, it was her motivation to empower women so they would learn to be free from their destructive behaviors. Janice became the house manager for Mary Magdalene House in Bridgeport, where her humanitarian work began when she developed a choir of women that were in sober houses who traveled to sing in different churches. The New Lifestyles Women Empowerment Lounge was birthed as Janice seen the need to empower women through life challenges. By 2011, Janice began facilitating women empower groups in Bridgeport, Norwalk and New Haven APT Foundations. Over the years, she would conduct outreach and connect women to resources throughout the state but mainly in the Greater New Haven area to help women and their families become stable. Although Janice had become well known for her work in the recovery community, it was never enough. She wanted New Lifestyle's organization to have a physical site where women could be "loved on" by her and her volunteers. But a transitional home for women was what she desired the most. In 2020, just as a space was secured for the office, the pandemic would end that dream very quick. The site and the transitional house project came to a halt. No shutdown would stop her, and this is where she birthed The New Lifestyles Women Empowerment Lounge. This weekly virtual platform for women was designed to showcase motivational speakers and connect women to helpful resources. In 2022, Janice attended CCAR Recovery Coach Academy and became designated as a Recovery Coach Professional. Over the past 4 years, New Lifestyle's volunteers has facilitated over 77 lounges. They continue to conduct outreach, host sober events, and fundraisers for the transitional house. Besides her work at the APT Foundation and her own New Lifestyles Women’s Group, Janice achievements and awards include: - Research collaborator with Quinnipiac University for Research with Trauma informed programming for Women in Recovery. - Active member of Solutions for Recovery Narcotic Anonymous helping many newcomers and sponsored women and helping to carry the message around the world. - New Haven Women's Resettlement Working Group Awards Sarah Daughter Award Leadership Excellence Lady Exhale TNT Impact Award for Creating a new path for women Certification of Mass Choir for Christian Love Center Mass Choir - 2022 Michael Askew Advocate of the Year Award Most Recent March 30, 2024, Decade of Excellence from Women Against Mass Incarceration Upcoming Nominee for the 100 Women of Color Gala Janice was a phenomenal woman with a Heart of Gold. She will truly be missed by many. Her Ultimate Dream for a New Lifestyles Transitional House for Women may have not been fulfilled in her lifetime, but she laid the foundation for the Future. She Thanks her many Supporters and Volunteers who traveled alongside her on this passionate mission – she loved you all! Keep the Dream Alive - in her Spirit – Keep Reaching Down to Pull Another Women Up! Janice leaves to mourn her Loving Husband, William Murray; Daughter, Kawana Brickhouse; Granddaughter, Kiley Strong; Yazmen Barnett, Asia Hood, Grandson: Tony Glenn: 3 great granddaughter, 2 great grandsons Daughter-in-law, Rodicia Glenn; Sisters, Alice (Sonia) Brickhouse, Carolyn Robinson, Andrea Robinson, Dianna Robinson; Brothers, Lonnie Robinson, Anthony Robinson; Beloved Nephew, Kenny Brickhouse; a host of great nephews, nieces, cousins and Devoted Friends (too many to name). She is pre-deceased in death by her Loving Mother, Mary Brickhouse-Newton; Father, Lonnie Robinson; Stepfather, Sigby Newton; Brothers, Curtis Brickhouse, Ronald Brickhouse, Calvin Robinson, Sherman Robinson and Michael Robinson.