Jean was born on 28th April 1939, to Jane and Donald Murray, the third of 6 siblings. She grew up in Girvan, where her dad was a deep sea fisherman.
She married Hugh on 8th September 1962 and they moved to Cumnock after their marriage.
After their children Alison and Hugh were born they moved to Gorebridge in Midlothian in November 1967.