Claire Sarene Thomas Murdock, 94, passed away Dec. 19, 1996 of causes incident to age.
She was born October 3, 1902 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She came from a heritage of music. Her parents, Moroni Julian Thomas and Agnes Olsen Thomas were a perfect mixture of Norwegian and Welsh blood whose center focus in life was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Music. Mom sang her first solo at age five and was constantly encouraged by both of her parents to excel in her musical presentations. Mom had a passion for music and was willing to share this passion with many. Like her parents, mom sang in the Tabernacle Choir for over 40 years, possessing a beautiful alto voice. The golden thread of music from her life has been woven through the fabric of her family's life.Mom was the last surviving member of her family. She was the ninth of nine children. She had five brothers and three sisters; four children died in infancy. This family contributed much to the establishment and building of Zion in the early history of the church in Utah. Mom lived at such an interesting time: the Salt Lake Temple had just been dedicated; Agnes, her mother, sang at the dedication. Moroni, her father, was a stone mason who helped to build the temple. It was during this same time period that Utah was granted statehood. The capitol hill area was filled with new immigrants who brought their enchanting customs, strong ideas, and unique cultures to Utah. The immigrants had sacrificed much to come to Zion. What a historically rich period in which to grow.
The span of mother's life encompassed many incredible events: the Wright Brothers flew at Kittyhawk; Henry Ford's first Model-T came off the assembly line; American women obtained the right to vote; the Tabernacle Choir started it's weekly national broadcast; the Great Depression; Hitler took control of Germany; man landed on the moon; the first artificial heart was placed in man; and many, many other amazing things.
Mom lived most of her life in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loved spending time on the ranch with her sister, Marie; being in the outdoors; helping with Marie's children; riding horses; and working on the ranch. She attended school and obtained a teaching degree. As a young girl, she demonstrated considerable courage going many miles from her home in Salt Lake City to teach school in Orderville, Utah. Her love of music began early in life and sustained her and others throughout her life. She had a high expectation of the standard of music both in performance of piano and voice, and she expected others to have the same standard. She married Franklin Joseph Murdock, founder of Murdock Travel, on September 1, 1927 in the Salt Lake Temple. He preceded her in death on January 26, 1986. She was the mother of four children and a devoted wife to her husband. Mom served as a member of the General Board of the Relief Society, worked with her husband while he served as mission president of the Holland Mission, serving as Relief Society President to the mission, and was a friend to many including prophets and apostles. Her devotion to the Church was the foremost influence in her life. She supported her husband in his roles as Bishop, Stake President, and Patriarch.
She passed away in Bountiful, Utah where she had been placed, due to her need for 24-hour care. The people in the life-care center were amazing; they were kind, generous, caring, and thoroughly professional. They helped mother try to reach her maximum abilities, plus they allowed her dignity and choice during the time she was there. While there, the wonderful people who visited her were greatly appreciated by mother and by her children. Thank you, friends and family; you made this extremely difficult time better for all of us.
She is survived by Joyce Baskin (Sid), a daughter, Salt Lake City; Thomas Franklin Murdock (Anita); a son, West Valley, Utah; Dr. Michael Julian Murdock (Pauline), a son, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and Karen Marie Blair (Dr. James), a daughter, Logan, Utah. She has 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 23rd, at 12 Noon, Eagle Gate Stake Center, 135 North "A" Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, where friends may call 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to service. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery under direction of Larkin Mortuary.
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