Polly Anna Murdoch

Polly Anna Murdoch left this world on Thursday March 10 at the age of 91. This loss is tremendous. She was a solace, a refuge, a joy, a teacher and a friend to many. She never met a soul that didn't fall in love with her wit, sense of humor and warmth — which remained intact even with severe dementia those last few years. We will cherish the wonderful memories we had with her and Gerald forever. Polly was born on December 30, 1930 to Emery and Blanche McClung in Dawson, West Virginia and there she grew up. She was the youngest of 13 children. After her father passed away she and her mother sold their farm and took a Greyhound bus to Carlsbad, New Mexico where she would meet the love of her life, Gerald Thomas Murdoch. Polly once told us how struck she was with New Mexico's unending horizons - a far cry from the "hollers" of West Virginia. Polly and Gerald lived all over the West as Gerald was a miner - moving from mining camps in Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and all the way up to Idaho. Polly left us a legacy of unconditional love, of humility, an open and welcoming door, of patience and the most valuable gift of all - time spent together.