Edith Murdock

December 1919 – May 19, 2021

Beatrice died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Saskatoon where she had been living for the past 10 months. She leaves her son Lanny of Calgary, and daughters Karen Murdock (Adrian Ewins, d. 2011) of Saskatoon, Heather Goss (Ralph) of Regina and Faye Patmore (Larry) of Fort Vermilion, AB. Also surviving are grandchildren Aimee Goss of Saskatoon, Colby Goss of Regina, and Stephanie Goss of Indian Head, SK, Cole Patmore (Maria Van Netten) of Fort Vermilion, AB, Jessi Patmore of High Level, AB and Matthew Patmore (Allyson Weimken) of Cochrane, AB. Also, great grandchildren Reese and Harrison (Cole) and Jack and Quinn (Matthew).

Beatrice was the first born and the last surviving sibling of her family, even though she endured many health problems throughout her life. She was predeceased by her parents Oscar and Thilda (Enstrom) Hurtig and siblings Len, Cecil (Pats), Norman, Lila Kurz (Art), and Alvin (Elsie Tucker).

Her husband, John Alexander Murdock, predeceased her.

She is survived by sister-in-law, Barbara Fech (Gordon, d) and predeceased by all Jack's other siblings; David, Isabel Curry ( Gordon), Harry (Monica), Bob (Helen), Brownie (Harold) Mary Slumski (Ren) and his parents Alec and Rachel (Richardson) Murdock.

In Beatrice’s words:

I was born in late December 1919 to Swedish immigrant parents near Riverhurst, SK, in a close-knit farming community of Swedish and other homesteaders. We walked long distances through pastures to country schools (Osceola and Mora, in my case).

Two memories of those walks stand out: I was followed by a large cat, perhaps a

bobcat, until I turned and threw my empty tin lunch pail. The cat backed off as the pail clattered down the road. The other memory is of walking home in a blizzard and getting disoriented as I followed the fence line and got going the wrong way. A search party was sent out after dark to find me.

Prior to WWII, I met my future husband, Jack, at school dance. We were married in 1946 when he returned home from Europe. We farmed in Jack's uncle's farm in the Glen Kerr area until 1953 when we moved to Riverhurst so Lanny (b.1947) could start school. Jack got the job of managing the Coop Lumber and Farm Supply. We also had two girls, Karen (b.1950) and Heather (b.1952). In 1961 Faye came along and our family was complete.

On New Year's Day, 1968 we moved to Morse where Jack took on the Coop Manager job. This time with only the two youngest as the others had left home.

Over the years I always sewed, making clothes for the kids and myself. I even taught 4-H sewing. When Heather and Faye got into figure skating I learned basic judging. When the Community College system was established I helped organize classes in Morse and took several myself, such as advanced sewing, haircutting and my GED.

At some point I became the town librarian with the Regional Library, which I really enjoyed. I was heartbroken to have to quit that job due to a back injury and also travelling frequently to Central Butte to help with my aging mother. She lived to 99 and a half.

Unfortunately, Jack passed away in 1979 at the age of 61. He lived to see only one of his six grandchildren.

For health reasons, I moved to Saskatoon and was fortunate to have quadruple bypass surgery at age 81!

Memories by Faye Patmore:

It has never escaped me how lucky we have been to have Mom with us for as long as we have. Yesterday Karen called that she had passed away peacefully at home. No matter your age, expected or not, it’s your Mom and she’s not there anymore. Mom was like the energizer bunny, always bouncing back from whatever her ailments over the years. She was just always there, to advise or ask questions, about the ranch, about the kids, wanting to know what everyone was doing, wishing she could come for a visit. She was always inquisitive, loved learning new things, well into her nineties she was still learning. She disliked not having her sewing machine with her at the end because it wouldn’t fit into her room. She enjoyed being in the figure skating club during our early years in Morse. Mom

also enjoyed her job as librarian so many years ago and hated to give it up, but she did to care for her mother who passed at 99. She was the eldest of her siblings, outliving them all to 101. Rest easy, Mom.

Thanks to caregivers Fran and Joyce, who made it possible for Mom to be with family these last months. Thank you to Dr. Matthew Wong for his excellent care and concern and to Cheetham’s Pharmacy. In the end, palliative home care were a great support. While living at McClure Tower, Amy McClure House, and Warm and Cozy Care Home, Mom enjoyed many good times with staff and residents. Cremation has taken place. No public gathering is planned. Also, thank you to Aimé Laventure at Mourning Glory Funeral Services. (306) 978-5200.