Martha Turner, 1935 Graduation from Ilwaco High School
Almost every time I turn around these days I am hearing about friends who are working at the food banks or at the school cafeteria or for Meals on Wheels — so many dedicated people helping to get nourishing food to those in need. And I think of my friend Martha Turner Murfin.
Martha would be just two months shy of 102 were she still living and, as sure as I’m writing this, she would be in the thick of helping us all get through this pandemic. Martha was all about helping — especially children. She saw to it that they had shoes and backpacks and school supplies. She saw to it that they had warm jackets in the winter and that they were signed up for “free and reduced” school meals. She made home visits to see for herself what might be needed — ever aware of people’s pride; especially the kids’.
I first met Martha in 1981 at Ocean Park School, in those days a K-3 school. She was the Librarian there and not only helped kids choose just the right books but offered a warm lap and comforting arms for kids who needed them. She kept secrets and always knew just the right thing to say when a child’s whole world was falling apart. The little kids called her “Mrs. Muffin” and so did the rest of us! It was a term of endearment of the first order.
Martha Turner Murfin, 1918-2011
She worked with kids and families right up until she couldn’t any more — which was only a short time, as I remember. She died in the summer of 2011 and her Celebration of Life may well have been the largest such gathering in the Peninsula’s history.
I know she’s somewhere close by, cheering us all on — especially all of the real-life angels who are following in her footsteps to take care of those in need during this most difficult time. Thanks, Mrs. Muffin, for continuing to serve as a shining beacon for us all!
I love this. ? I had the privilege of working with Martha for 3 years. We served in Ameri Corps* VISTA together. We went on many weekend enrichment trainings together. She was such an amazing woman. I learned so much from her on our “escapades”, as she called them. On these weekends we would be gathered with hundreds of other volunteers, mostly young people in their 20’s, she ran the show! She always said she was kid at heart. Yes she was!!! I had breakfast with Martha and Gary Locke once. She said we were, “really making it to the big leagues now!”
I will cherish those memories forever in my heart.
Martha was one of the sweetest and supportive people I’ve ever met. She and her husband, Dick did tons for the community. I was so lucky to work with her. She had a twinkle in her eye and a mile wide smile.
I was Martha Murfin’s Pastor from 1984 until I retired; and I often think of her life as one of Christian example, finding ways to help the children that needed it most. She would load two or three kids into her minivan, take them to a clothing store, and walk out with badly needed new jacket or shoes on the kids. She was what I thought s Christian should be. Although I as her Pastor, I found she often ministered to me! The children’s wing of the Peninsula Church Center was named after her. She was truly a Saint.