Ethel Diane McMurchie
November 6, 1922 - January 1, 2013
Obituary
Ethel D. McMurchie
Ethel Diane McMurchie (Christianson) passed away at her Ballard home on January 1, 2013, she was 90 years old. Ethel was born November 6, 1922 in Pembina County, North Dakota to parents Laurus and Gudrun (Sveinson) Christianson. Ethel married Dean Ellsworth McMurchie in Waukesha, Wisconsin on January 11th, 1947 and they moved back to Cavalier where they bought a farm in 1951. In 1956 they moved to Seattle and Ballard, WA.
Ethel is survived by one sister Emily Morrison, her children Virginia (Gini) McMurchie, Peggie Hunter, Bill McMurchie and his wife Carol, James (Jim) McMurchie and his wife Robin, grandchildren Joseph, Caitlin and Cheyenne McMurchie and great grandchildren Joey and Nathan McMurchie.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dean McMurchie, her parents Laurus and Gudrun (Runa) Christianson (Sveinson), brothers Arni Gudjonson, Ivan Gudjonson, Elmo Christianson and Mayo Christianson and Sister Evelyn Hartje.
Ethel attended the B. Eastman School and Cavalier High School. She lived and worked in Los Angeles, CA for a short time then returned to Cavalier where she worked at the B. Eastman School. In the early 1960’s she went to work in Ballard for Washington Mutual Savings Bank and later worked in downtown Seattle with Gini at the Toy Store and then for the Seattle Schools in the Cafeteria.
Ethel loved her family and would spend all the time she could find to support our lives and activities. She gave us support for girl scouts, cub scouts, little league, archery tournaments and so much more throughout our lives. All of our friends became her friends and she excelled at making them feel at home. She welcomed our friends to functions like birthdays, thanksgiving and Christmas occasions.
Ethel loved gardening, sewing, knitting, going out to breakfast, coffee, tea, etc with friends and neighbors. Her warm smile and gentle touch will be missed…forever. Private family services to be held. Arrangements entrusted to Wiggen & Sons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers remembrances suggested to Ballard Food Bank 206-789-7800.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers your family finds peace with all the good memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a lovely woman. She touched a lot of people in her life.
Thoughts, prayers & love to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My memories of Ethel are times spent in our “sewing club” where we actually did some sewing. She would ask me to thread her needle and said “someday you will need help with that too!” and yes, I do. Her smile and greeting was warm and welcoming. Rest in peace, Ethel. Hugs. Emily
So sorry for your loss. I have so many great-fun memories of Ethel. Growing up in our neighborhood was amazing. Lots of family fun and kids everywhere. We had camping trips together as families over the years when we were little. I remember Ethel always had fresh goodies to share. Loved her home made donuts.
Rest in peace Ethel.
My warmest and deepest condolences…it is always so hard to let someone go…may the wind whisper kindnesses and wrap you in loving memories to soothe your heart and soul.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rest in peace Ethel.
I have such fond memories of being with your family, visiting the Seattle area as a child and teenager. It was always fun spending time together. I know you will miss your dear mom.
Our prayers are with you.
Memories go back to elementary school days.Always a warm smile.Iam sorry for your loss.Please extend to the rest of the family.
Ethel was full of love for everyone. I feel blessed to have spent time with her as a young college student doing my internship at the Seattle Center. She welcomed me into her home and I enjoyed her humor and spark. Bless her family she will be missed.
My memories of Ethel would be her smiling face down at Washinton Muthal Bank. Other memories are from camping at Chiwawa river camp grounds with Dean & all friends on Labor Day weekend. We had lots of fun.
I am so glad that I was able to visit Ethel a couple of times, during the past eight years or so and especially happy that she and Mom enjoyed time together in 2004. I remember fondly Ethel’s quick wit; her wry sense of humor, and her slow, warm smile. She was a beauty – the picture you selected is a testament, I have a picture that Ethel gave me, of her and Dean, when they were married – they look like movie stars.
Ethel was tirelessly devoted to all of you; you were all the sunshine that warmed her heart and lighted her way and I know how much you will all miss her.
I have so many great memories of you, Ethel, from when I was a kid. All the summer vacations I spent running around your house playing with Joe. You were always so willing to drive us all over town, going from one skateboard shop to the next. Some of my best childhood memories were of you and my grandmother sitting on your front porch talking and watching us kids play in the yard. Thank you for that.
Ama was always kind to me. Jim introduced me to his family when I was a lonely college student far away from home and Ama welcomed me and fed me, and gave me some local Mom support. 30 years later, I have never been able to reproduce the wonderful Corned beef recipe I had at Ama’s house on numerous holidays. She will be missed.