Donna Joanne Murphy

In loving memory of Donna Joanne Murphy
Mrs. Donna Murphy, 92, joined the Lord, April 9, 2025. Donna was born in San Jose, California to Carmel and Helen Van Horn. She attended San Jose State college and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. While in College, she met her husband Richard at a wedding of mutual friends. Both were part of the wedding party. They married after her college graduation. Dick worked for Standard Oil at the time and so the job moved them around quite often. The couple moved from San Jose, to Malibu, CA, Yakima, Spokane, and Saratoga, CA. In 1969 they returned to Washington and bought their ranch in Colville. They raised Hereford Cattle and grew alfalfa hay.
In her younger days, Donna enjoyed horseback riding and was a member of Castle Rock Horsemen's association in Saratoga, CA. She volunteered at horse shows and helped organize the first Castle Rock Challenge ride; an endurance race, for horse and rider, in the Santa Cruise Mountains. She loved to sew, paint, swim, fish and garden. She played tennis, but in her later years she switched to golf.
After moving to Colville, she became a farmer's wife. She cut and baled hay, moved irrigation pipes and worked cows.
She was very active in the Colville community as a 4-H leader. She taught sewing, dog obedience, photography, and was one of the original founders of the Colville Light Horse 4-H club. She served on the Northeast WA Fair board and was a president of Christian Women's club. She helped create the Old Mission Art Gallery and Theater. Donna volunteered at the Colville Public Library. She was a member of the Peacemakers Quilt Guild.
Donna was also active in her daughters' lives. She attended swim meets in Canada with Shari and hauled kids and horses to horse shows and rodeos. All her daughters were involved in school sports, and she was a faithful spectator cheering on her girls.
Donna loved to travel. She saw much of the United States and Western Canada with her husband. They both traveled to Japan to see their daughter Marianne, and she also traveled to England and Italy with her daughter Shari.
She was preceded in death by her husband Richard and her brothers Carmel and Robert, and her daughter Marianne. She is survived by her daughters Carol and Shari.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Free Methodist Church May 31 at 11:00. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse.