Alberta Ann Murray, age 77, of McMinnville, Ore., passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2013, with loving family by her side.
Alberta, nicknamed “Birdie,” was born on Dec. 20, 1935, in Warroad, Minn., the daughter of Albert and Iola Saurdiff. Along with her brothers, Norman and Joseph, the family moved to Seattle, Wash., in 1944. Alberta graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953 and went on to study at the University of Washington. She joined the Mountaineers and was an avid skier, figure skater and dancer. Alberta married Jack S. Murray on May 30, 1959. The couple met each other in Sun Valley, Idaho, and enjoyed several ski trips back to the Valley.
The Murrays raised their family in Washington while Alberta enjoyed being a loving mother, homemaker, gardener and legal secretary. Alberta loved animals and took care of several Siamese cats and Labradors. She also loved nature and spent the later part of her life as an Oregon State Parks host with Jack for many years. The Murrays lived in Hailey between 1993 and 2003, and later settled in Oregon where they had honeymooned.
Alberta is survived by her husband, Jack Murray; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Ben Chidlaw of Sherwood, Ore., and son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Diane Murray of Kenmore, Wash.; and her brothers, Norman and Joseph Saurdiff. Alberta is also survived by five grandchildren, Rachael, Megan and Elizabeth Murray, and Tatum and Ryan Chidlaw.
A celebration of Alberta’s life and Christian burial was held at Gibbs Historical Cemetery near Sherwood and was presided over by Father Ysrael of St. Francis Catholic Church in Sherwood, Ore., on Jan. 28, 2013.
