Muriel E Murphy

Muriel Eone Murphy was born on May 12, 1922 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Mattie Belle (Bates) and James L. Tayc. She attended schools in Twin Falls and graduated from high school in 1940. She and her best friend were among the first high school band twirling majorettes in the State of Idaho. Upon being judged the winner in the advanced group of twirlers for the Twin Falls senior band, Muriel was awarded a baton that her youngest son keeps to this day among his family treasures. Muriel’s father worked as a mechanic for the Twin Falls and Boise newspapers, eventually becoming head pressman for the Boise Statesman. Her mother worked as a telephone operator until she married, when she became a homemaker; she also was a Daughter of the American Revolution and an avid photographer and pianist. In addition to her achievements as a baton twirler, the young Muriel excelled in sewing, typing and shorthand. Years later her sewing skills greatly benefited her daughters, who delighted in the doll clothes she stitched for them, not to mention the fashionable formals she made for their proms. Her typing and shorthand skills led her to pursue a secretarial career. She attended business college in Los Angeles and then moved to Boise where she worked in the state capitol building as secretary for the Idaho State Board of Education. As World War II progressed, she began working as a court reporter at Gowen Field Air Base in Boise. This is where she met Joseph C. Murphy, one of the young lawyers stationed at the base. They had their first date on February 13, 1944 and were married in the base chapel on May 12, 1944, Muriel’s 22nd birthday. They moved to Toppenish in 1946. They bought their first home on South Chestnut Street from Fred Oldfield, then an aspiring young artist who wanted to go to art school. A few years later, with a growing family, Muriel and Joe moved to a bigger house on Pearne Street and made it their residence for the rest of their lives. Muriel contributed to the welfare of the Toppenish community through her activities as a member of the Toppenish Hospital Auxiliary. Over many years, as a wife and mother caring for her many children, she quietly found the time to hem countless dozens of dish towels embroidered by other Auxiliary members. The sale of sets of these towels produced a substantial part of the income of the Auxiliary, which was devoted to purchasing items for the comfort of the patients. She purchased the material and did the sewing for many receiving blankets, and made a part of the layettes given by Birthright to needy expectant mothers. From her own separate and personal funds, she paid the rent for Birthright for years, all the while wanting no acknowledgment for her contributions. Muriel was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Toppenish, which she and her husband helped sustain with generous gifts for over 60 years. They supported the Toppenish Mural Society and many western artists, and they gave generously to the Toppenish Food Bank, among numerous other worthy causes. But it was in her home that Muriel performed her most devoted service. “My family has been my life,” she said when asked about what mattered to her most. While her husband pursued his law practice and community commitments, including as Toppenish City Attorney, she tended to their ten children, and to him. He always told everyone that Muriel was the heart of the home, and she was. Throughout her life she believed, and said, that love was the most important thing to give her children. Her occupation as full-time mother, which she described as “challenging,” gave her little time for her own interests; still, she took good care of herself, keeping her figure, her beauty, her grace, and her sense of style, and going out with her husband and other couples to dine and dance whenever they could. She loved to garden and had some of the most beautiful rose beds in Toppenish. She was the family champion at both croquet and cards. She had world-class collections of Roseville pottery and miniature birds. She was celebrated for the delicious rhubarb pies she baked for sale at countless community events. After Joe’s retirement, they traveled together throughout the United States and Europe, always making sure to be back in Toppenish for the annual Ranch Party, which Muriel attended for 65 consecutive years. Since her husband’s death, at age 85 in 2003, she continued to live in the family home where her greatest joy came from her children’s visits and her caregivers’ company. Muriel died at home at age 91 on March 12, 2014. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Elnor Siverts; an infant daughter, Eileen Maura; grandson Matthew J. Murphy; granddaughter Claire E. Morris; and son-in-law Michael T. Coogan. Survivors include her son William C. Murphy and wife JoRee, of Toppenish; her daughter Mary M. Patrick and husband Terry, of Yakima; her daughter Kathleen M. Pomerinke and husband Ray, of Shoreline, WA; her daughter Margaret E. Murphy, of New York City; her daughter Patricia M. Coogan, of Ferndale, WA; her son James J.E. Murphy and wife Margaret, of Bellingham, WA; her son Barry R. Murphy and wife Jonni, of Milwaukie, OR; her daughter Rosemary A. Murphy, of New York City; her daughter Maureen F. Level and husband Duke, of Springfield, OH; her son John G. Murphy and spouse Ralf Hupe, of Zurich, Switzerland; 20 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish on Friday, March 14, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Toppenish on Saturday, March 15, 2014. Friends can send condolences at www.toppenishfunerals.com. Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Toppenish Food Bank, the Toppenish Mural Society or another charity of your choice.

Muriel E Murphy

May 12, 1922 - March 12, 2014

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Muriel E Murphy

May 12, 1922 - March 12, 2014

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