Dorothy Jepson McMurdie, 69, died at her home on Saturday, June 8, 1996, after struggling with cancer for more than two years.
Born in Gunnison, Utah on June 2, 1927, Dorothy was the first child of Lester Miles and Adele Anderson Jepson. As a child, she was an accomplished violinist, traveling throughout the intermountain west to perform. At 12, her family moved to Provo, Utah for her to pursue her violin studies.Dorothy attended Brigham Young University and Utah State University where she was the concert-mistress and soloist of the symphony orchestras at both universities. She later played with the Utah Valley Symphony.
On December 29, 1952, Dorothy married Maughan Wadsworth McMurdie in the Logan LDS Temple. During their marriage, the McMurdies performed extensively together.
After serving in the United States Air Force , including being stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Maughan and Dorothy lived in Orem and Provo, Utah, as well as Seattle, Washington, before moving to Macomb, Illinois in 1969.
In Macomb, Dorothy played the violin with the Western Civic Orchestra, sang in the Western Community Chorus, and was active in the Faculty Wives organization. She also worked at Western Illinois University from 1970 to 1987.
Dorothy was an active member of the LDS Church and served in numerous positions, including those in the Relief Society, the largest women's organization in the world. As a devoted wife and mother, she supported her husband and children in all of their endeavors.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Maughan; and their five children: Judith M. Nielsen (Ray), Everett, Wash.; Lori M. George (Loyd), Florissant, MO; Greg M. McMurdie (Carrie), Beaverton, Oregon; M. Shaun McMurdie (Kristie), Hilliard, Ohio; and Shelley L. McMurdie, Salt Lake City; 11 grandchildren; her sister, Lisa Murphy, and brothers, Jack and Larry Jepson.
Funeral services will be Thursday, at the LDS Chapel, Macomb, Ill.
A Utah memorial services will be held 12 noon, Monday, June 17, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, Logan, Utah. Friends may call from 10:30 to noon. Burial, Logan City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or McDonough District Hospital Home Health Care Services, Macomb, Ill.
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