Martha Murfin

In preparing for this day, a few years back we asked Mom to help write her obituary. She thought about it and then explained to us that it didn't need to list everything she'd done or those things with which she had been involved. She said, "If people want to know those things, they can go to the Observer and look in their archives. There are plenty of articles there!" Then she proceeded to write. Below is what she gave to us to share. She was born, Martha Eloise Turner, in Raymond, Washington, June 18, 1918. Her parents were Frank and Clara Turner. She graduated from Ilwaco High School, Class of 1935, before continuing on to major and graduate with a degree in physical education at the University of Washington. She married Richard Winfield "Dick" Murfin on June 16, 1940 and shared 67 years. She became a mother to three children - Ann, Robert Richard "Rick" and Maureen - saying that they and their families brought her great happiness. The things that brought her great sadness were losing first her son, Rick, to cancer in 2005, then her husband Dick in 2007, followed by her great- granddaughter, Ashlyn Brea Cox in 2008. Numerous times she received recognition for her participation in humanitarian projects, but her prime interests in life came down to two things: family and kids. She made sure her family was raised with Christian values. Her mission in life was to love ALL (she emphasized this by underlining it in her notes) kids, being concerned about their environment, thrilled with their accomplishments, hoping they set goals and not lose sight of them, wishing each and every one safety, security and love." The motto she lived by was taken from one of her favorite scriptures, Luke 10:27 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself." Her family knows that it would be Mom's wish that we all do the same. She is survived by her daughter, Ann Murfin Coffey and husband Joseph of Shelton, WA; daughter-in-law Susan Murfin of Seaview, WA; and Maureen Murfin Cox Hunsberger and husband John of Ritzville, WA. They brought her the additional joys of eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 7:00PM at the Black Lake Campus gymnasium of Ilwaco High School. In the true Martha Murfin spirit, those attending are encouraged to bring a non-parishable food item to the service. Memorials in Martha's memory to the Peninsula Children Fund, Peninsula Young Life, Peninsula Boys & Girls Club or the Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church can be sent in care of Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631.