Obituary of Mary Murrish
Mary Elizabeth Huston Murrish, 89, born April 22nd, 1934 and passed away July 25th, 2023.
It is with profound sadness that we must share news of the passing of our beloved mother, Mary Elizabeth (Huston) Murrish, at the age of 89 in Oroville, California on July 25, 2023. Mary was born in the Huston family home on Sierra Avenue in Thermalito in 1934. She was the fourth child of George & Frances Kane Huston. At that time the family included her three older siblings; Bill, Harold & Barbara Huston. Later, the family grew with the births of her two younger brothers; Stanley & Darrell Huston. Mary’s parents were hard-working, church-going people who provided well for their large family throughout their childhood & beyond. Mary as well as her siblings attended elementary school in Thermalito & later Oroville High School. As a young woman she had jobs that included secretarial work & a position as a telephone operator that took her to Lake Tahoe.
Mary married Edward Earl Dick in 1954. Together they became the parents of four daughters; Cheryl, Kathy, Norma & Brenda. For the first few years, the family moved several times as their father worked in heavy construction throughout northern California. The family settled in Mary’s hometown of Oroville by 1960 making their family home on Ward Boulevard a permanent address. As her daughters grew, Mary held various employment; bus driver, dress shop salesperson & bank teller. Being a mother & taking care of the family home & her girls was always her first priority.
Mary continued to make her home in Oroville until 1984. At that time she married Lewis Murrish of Carlotta, California & the two made their home in the redwoods of Humboldt County. For many years Mary & Lewis happily hosted family & friends in their home. All of Mary’s daughters have great memories of their extended stays & her grandchildren still speak of many fun summer & holiday trips to their grandparents’ home. In later years, Mary & Lewis decided to return to Oroville & made their last home together on the bluffs of the Feather River. During her last months of life, Mary loved to reminisce about her wonderful years with Lewis including their world travel, ocean fishing & home in the forest. After Lewis’ death in 2005, Mary continued to live in the
home she had shared with Lewis.
Mary met & married James “Denny” Tannahill at the end of 2017. The two enjoyed a few years of relative good health during which time they were able to make RV road trips together. They were of comfort & companionship to each other during the isolation of the pandemic. The two stayed in her home until losing the battle to remain independent in the past year.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving parents; George & Frances Huston, and three beloved brothers; Bill, Stanley & Darrell Huston all of Oroville. She is survived by her husband of the past five years, James Tannahill of Oroville, brother Harold (Loretta) Huston of Lynnwood, Washington & sister Barbara Huston Shields of Oroville. Mary is survived by her four daughters & their husbands; Cheryl & Dan Love of Graeagle, California, Norma & Nick Karrasch of Cedarville, California, Brenda & Tio Ielati of Oroville, & Kathy Luckenbill of Albany, Oregon. Mary is survived by 12 grandchildren; Holly, Caroline, Josiah, Kimberlee, Jeffrey, Zachary, Pataska, Danielle, Tucker, Isabella, Abigail & Grace. In addition, Mary is survived by 13 great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews & cousins who are all members of the extended Huston family. Mary is fondly known as Miss Mary, Mama Mary & Grandma Mary to many family friends as well.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 25th at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5646 Lincoln Boulevard, Oroville. The service and interment will be at the grave of Mary’s dear mother in what we affectionately refer to as The Huston Family Row. The family invites all those in attendance to join them in a luncheon in memory of their mother which will immediately follow. Details to be announced at close of service. In lieu of flowers, please give consideration to a contribution to the charity of your choice in Mary’s memory.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home (530) 534-3877