December 17th, 1945 — October 9th, 2020
Valarie Murphy passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020 surrounded by her children and her husband of forty-eight years, Dick Murphy. Val was born on December 17, 1945 in Kemmerer, Wyoming, the only daughter of Mary Valarie Pollard and Robert William Pollard. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Richard Pollard and Robert Pollard.
Before being sidelined by one of life’s two inevitabilities (and just in time to avoid having to file her taxes ever again), Valarie took joy in her children, grandchildren, and trolling the unwary on Facebook.
Dick and Val met in St. Louis, Missouri in 1972 through a mutual friend. Upon meeting, Dick was struck by the petite, attractive lady who was (he assumed) one of his friend’s many girlfriends. Val noted that tall, dark, and handsome Dick gave the friend a peck on the lips and assumed he was a friend of Dorothy. As it turned out, both their initial impressions were wrong. Dick drove Val back to Wyoming and five months later, on September 22, 1972, they were married.
Always striving for integrity, Val informed Dick early that her family was not wealthy, and he better get used to it or leave. Their brief courtship had not given Dick time to tell Val that his home didn’t have indoor plumbing until he was in high school.
An economist by education and a fighter by nature, Val learned to do literally everything – much of it, self-taught. She built three houses, serving as general contractor, financial controller, and grout expert. She invested in shady tax shelters in the 1980s (her kids are pretty sure the statute of limitations has run on that). She sewed her daughter’s wedding dress – several times, in fact (including beading a test run), to make sure it was just right. She beat her son at computer games until, frustrated, he hacked the game to give himself an unbeatable high score. While Val chose to stay at home to raise her children, her hard work and intelligence were the backbone upon which the entire family was built. She could do anything she put her mind to, and her mind was beautiful.
In spite of their modest beginnings, Dick and Val built a life together that resulted in five children – Rick Murphy, John Murphy, Amber (Roger) Chang, Lindsay (Bill) Smith, and Morgan (Derek) Neslund. She was the adoring grandmother to Keira, Nayah, Kalden, Forest, Barrett, Reagan, Jack, and Rory.
Valarie was a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, and loved attending Sunday services with Barrett. Her greatest joy was that her children learned to love one another, and to finally stop their damned bickering. She was grateful that they didn’t actually kill one another, as she suggested they do from time to time.
Val’s loss will leave a hole in the hearts of many. She touched lives through her political campaigning, religious identity, wicked wit, and soft heart. She took in numerous stray animals, and almost as many stray people.
In lieu of flowers, Val appreciates donations to ILADS, the International Lyme & Associated Disease Society; to AAPS, the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons; or to a Tea Party group (she hadn’t updated her wishes in a while).
SERVICES
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 14th at Darrell Howe Mortuary from 4pm - 6pm. A maxiumum of 50 people will be allowed in the building at one time. We ask that everyone please wear a mask while in the building and maintain social distancing guidleines. We appreciate your understanding.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 15th at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Broomfield beginning at 10am. Please check with the church for any restrictions they may have due to the coronavirus.
Valarie will be laid to rest during a private family ceremony at Coal Creek Cemetery.
CEMETERY
Coal Creek Cemetery, Louisville, CO | Map
LOCATION
Darrell Howe Mortuary | Map
CHURCH
Holy Trinity Anglican Church | Map
