Marilyn Murdock Obituary

Marilyn Rial Murdock
ST. PAUL, MN - Marilyn Rial Murdock, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, died peacefully surrounded by loving family on October 14, 2015, at the age of 94, in St. Paul, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Harry Miller, her brother Gray, her first husband, Thomas M. Rial, and second husband, Royal P. Murdock. Survived by sons Peter (Chris) and Mark (Kathy), daughter Marsha (George), and stepdaughter, Bonnie Murdock. Also survived by grandchildren, Vanessa (Graeme), Laura, Jason, Kate, Kara (Ryan), Soorya, as well as 3 great-grandchildren, Sasha, Anya, and Eli, brother-in-law, Bob Malloy, and nieces and nephews.
Born Marilyn Jean Miller on March 9, 1921, she was raised on a small farm in rural Pennsylvania and attended the Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing. She enlisted in the Army soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served 4 years during WWII. Her hospital in southern England was one of the facilities that received the first waves of wounded soldiers from the D-Day invasion in Normandy. She often spoke of her experiences with the medical and nursing teams efforts to treat and alleviate pain and suffering, working round the clock under very difficult conditions. Marilyn returned home on the Queen Mary and several years ago had the opportunity to stay at the Queen Mary (now dry-docked in San Diego) and received the royal treatment after her son Peter called and alerted the hotel leadership of Marilyn's history on the ship and in the war.
Marilyn later obtained a BA from Stephen's College in Columbia, MO. She was proud of her long career in nursing which included several roles, including working for Planned Parenthood and her position as Director of Home Health Nursing at Hitchcock Rehabilitation Center in Aiken, SC., from which she retired.
After the war Marilyn met and married Tom Rial, and they raised 3 children in Aiken, South Carolina.
Marilyn was active in the Civil Rights movement and was a founding member of the Human Relations Council, which helped with the process to integrate the public schools in Aiken.
After Tom's death, Marilyn met and married Roy Murdock, who she described as the great love of her life. They shared a wonderful life together in Eugene, OR, for more than 30 years until his death last year. They were active members of the Eugene Unitarian Universalist Church, and were active in progressive causes, including supporting environmental protections and women's rights. Marilyn and Roy also had many wonderful travel adventures together, including a year-long trip through Mexico and Central America. Marilyn immensely enjoyed her writing group in Eugene had a great love of reading.
Marilyn will be sorely missed.
Donations to Planned Parenthood, Hilary Clinton's campaign, or Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, MN, can be made in her name. A memorial service will be planned for some time in the future.