September 6, 1936 – March 9, 2013
Resident of Santa Ynez
Mary passed away in her home comforted by her loving husband and family. Mary was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Jacobas Johannes Van Rij (b. 1875 – South, Holland) and Frances C. Kooyman Van Rij (b. 1909 – Salt Like City, Utah, USA).
Mary met Ron Murphy while at Van Nuys High School, California and they married in the “Little Brown Church” (the very same church in which Ron and Nancy Reagan were married), in Reseda, California on March 21, 1954.
Mary loved horses and eventually became a breeder of purebred paint horses. Her brood mare produced beautiful, prized paint fillies.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Ron Murphy of nearly 60 years; her children, Karen M. Kolber, Michael J. Murphy, and Ronda M. Sorenson; seven grandchildren, Gregory J. Kolber, Aimee C. Perreria, Melissa Mitchell Irene Celedon, Courtney Burlison, Travis J. Murphy, and Joseph B. Hernandez; nine great grandchildren; and her brothers and sisters, Wilma Croxford, William Van Rij, John Van Rij, Jay Van Rij, Daniel Van Rij, Martha Holden, Paul Van Rij, and later brother Carl Ahlgreen, and sister Barbara Dahlke. Graveside Funeral Service – Wednesday, March 13th at 11:00 am at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard.
Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors.
